Published on: 28 February 2025
The work of three healthcare workers has been recognised at a national award ceremony which celebrates those who help keep hospitals clean.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust nominated two of its staff in this year’s MyCleaning Awards.
Nicola Scott, an Infection Prevention and Control Admin Team Lead, was shortlisted for the Leadership of The Year Award.
Her colleague Matthew Graham, who also works for the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team, was nominated in the Auditor of The Year Award category.
Nicola and Matthew were finalists in their category and collected certificates at the event in London.
Matthew Graham and Nicola Scott with their finalist certificates from the MyCleaning Awards.
Choice, the Trust’s wholly owned subsidiary which provides its estates and facilities services, also nominated one of its staff.
Dan Donkin is its Assistant Domestic and Linen Manager and won the Newcomer of the Year Award. He is on leave, so was represented by colleagues at the ceremony.
Dan Donkin was announced as the Newcomer of the Year at the GV Healthcare's MyCleaning Awards.
All three are based at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
The MyCleaning Awards is run by GV Healthcare and is an annual event dedicated to celebrating healthcare cleaners and domestics.
It also recognises other ‘healthcare cleaning heroes’ who also take responsibility to upkeep standards.
Dan started working for Choice in November 2023 as a trainee manager.
He was put forward for his award by Doug Davis, Domestic and Linen Services Manager. Doug highlighted his people management skills and the trust and respect he has built up with his colleagues.
Dan said:
"I am extremely overjoyed and grateful to have received the award of Newcomer of the Year at the MyCleaning awards.
"The support I have received since joining in late 2023 has allowed me to enhance my managerial skills and make efficient changes to our ways of working.
"This could not have been done with the immense support from the domestic and linen services team and the wider support from the facilities team.
"I am looking forward to my future within Choice and the opportunities that come with working within the organisation."
Rachael Hutchinson is Deputy Head of Facilities for Choice.
She said:
"We are incredibly proud of Dan for his win and our team was delighted to be there on the night to collect his award on his behalf.
"Since Dan joined us, he’s used his own knowledge to help others and bring them on. He’s always taking an interest in how they are.
"He’s already helped bring in changes improve how we work and not only supported those he helps oversee, but his managers too.
"We know he has a bright future."
Angela Scott is Head of IPC for the Trust.
She said:
"I am so proud of Nicola and Matthew. It was a fantastic event.
"I put forward Nicola was put forward for her innovation, determination, leadership and enthusiasm for the successful launch of new IPC data capture systems we have set up within our Trust.
"She is such a strong asset to the team, as well as our organisation, she is dedicated and hardworking and always goes beyond expectations."
In the nomination for Matthew, he was championed for being a team player, for his hard work and his skills as a problem solver.
The Trust uses an IPC electronic system called MyAudit to carry out its checks and upkeep its standards. In addition to making sure it is being used well, Matthew also helps teach others how it works.
Angela added:
"During the last year, Matthew has used this system to carry out almost 400 audits, which is an amazing amount. He’s always raised any issues quickly and made sure they’re dealt with
"We are very proud to say he has already been recognised by the Chief Executive with an Excellence Report. This was because of the work he has done to help ward staff with patients and other tasks whilst carrying out audits.
"The role of our IPC team is to make sure we offer safe and high-quality care. It's our task to improve patient safety and make sure everyone, staff, patients and visitors, are also safe when they visit our hospitals."
"Nichola and Matthew are a key part of this and I’m proud of what they have achieved."
