The heartfelt messages were shared at the gesh CARE awards ceremony, which took place at the Kia Oval on Tuesday, December 9.
Nearly 400 guests gathered to honour individuals and teams at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group.
Lorraine Kelly, an ambassador for St George’s Hospital Charity, was among 10 celebrities who recorded special thank-you messages for staff.
Lorraine, who suffered life-threatening injuries in 2012 when she was trampled after falling from a horse and required urgent care from specialist teams at St George’s, said: “I’ve experienced first-hand the exceptional care at St George’s Hospital, and I know just how much dedication and compassion goes into every part of your work.”
“You really do make a difference to the lives of patients and their families, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
“To all the amazing staff across St George’s, Queen Mary’s, Epsom and St Helier hospitals, thank you.
“You really are the backbone of our NHS.”
Singer Beverley Knight also praised staff working throughout the health service.
Ms Knight said: “I could not be more proud of the NHS and particularly you guys who work within the NHS, whether it’s on the wards or off them, whether you’re manning the phones, going round to people’s homes – whatever aspect of the work you do, you are valued and you are loved.
“You guys are our heartbeat – thank you all for what you do.”
The gesh CARE awards, sponsored by St George’s Hospital Charity and Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity, celebrate both clinical and non-clinical staff who make a lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the broader community.
More than 900 nominations were submitted across 13 award categories.
James Blythe, interim group chief executive, said: “These awards celebrate the very best of gesh and the NHS, and we heard some extraordinary examples of the compassion and kindness our teams show to our patients and each other.
“Compared to last year, we received nearly double the number of nominations, and each and every one is a testament to the difference our teams – clinical and non-clinical – make to other people’s lives.
“I’m very proud to work alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues, who deserve every bit of recognition.”
This year’s winners included St George’s stoma nurse Sophie Jones, who was nominated by a patient in the Public Choice Award category for going “far beyond her role.”
Other honourees included the St George’s Neonatal Ventilation Team, which has halved infant deaths from chronic lung disease.
Dr Carolyn Croucher, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Epsom and St Helier, was named Leader of the Year.
Marion Landeg, a volunteer and former nurse who supports staff and patients in the emergency department, was also recognised.
The event was hosted by TV presenter Elle Osili-Wood.
Ms Osili-Wood said: “It was an absolute privilege to host these awards and very humbling to hear so many powerful and touching stories.
“It was such a joyful, happy occasion – and made me very proud of our wonderful NHS and all the people working at gesh.”
