THREE finalists will go head to head in the Southend Hospital Heroes Award.

The annual awards allow patients and residents across Essex to vote for the individuals or teams who have had an impact on their lives

The three finalists are Lesley Eldridge and Louise Leech from the early pregnancy unit team, Panagitois Dimopoulos, a consultant urological surgeon, and Emma Matthews, and Dr Dora Amran from the cardiac and medical day stay team.

Ms Eldridge and Ms Leech, clinical nurse specialist and sister, have been working in the early pregnancy Unit for ten and two years respectively.

They were voted for going above and beyond in their approach to ensure their patients have the highest standards of care. They have assisted hundreds of women who have experienced pregnancy loss.

They said: “We have telephone triages and one to one consultations with 350 women suffering from pregnancy loss and complications in early pregnancy and over the last 12 months have received over 10,000 phone calls.”

Mr Dimopoulos received a nomination from a patient who felt indebted to him for life. The patient has a history of lupus and is currently diagnosed with bladder cancer along with other complications he had to endure due to his illness. He felt the care Mr Dimopoulos had given to him had been most outstanding care.

Mr Dimopoulos said: “I was on holiday when I heard, but it was really good news. It means an awful lot the nomination coming from a patient as it is a positive reflection of the care we have given our patients. “

Dr Dimopoulos added: “I don’t see this as just an award about me, it is about the whole team making these things happen.”

Ms Matthews is the ward manager for the cardiac and medical day stay centre, and Dr Amran, a respiratory consultant on the ward which treats patients with metastatic breast cancer. They were nominated by a grateful husband whose wife is battling the illness

Dr Amran said: “We are honoured and privileged to have been nominated by one of our patients. We are also especially proud of our services for cancer patients because the work that we do stops patients having to stay in hospital beds during their last weeks and months of their lives.

“It enables them to go on holiday with their family, spend time at home and makes a massive difference to their quality of life.”

Last year there were over 7,000 votes for the awards.

You can cast your vote here: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HH2017Echo. Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, September 10. The awards will be presented on Friday, September 22.

Here are your candidates:

Louise Leech (left) and Lesley Eldridge (right)

Echo:

Lesley Eldridge received two nominations for the award.

One was for her quick thinking at home and one for the work she and her team do at Southend Hospital. 

A patient, also her neighbour, collapsed at home with a suspected ectopic pregnancy. 

She said: “Lesley had already been monitoring me on the unit but when I collapsed at home, my husband called her as well as an ambulance.

"Knowing my history, Lesley rang ahead to the hospital, arranging staff and blood transfusions ready for when I arrived by ambulance. 

"Since my surgery she has helped me every step of the way through a truly horrendous time for our family. She really is my hero.” 

Ms Eldridge also received a nomination from a patient who suffered two miscarriages.

Panagitois Dimopoulos

Echo:

Panagitois Dimopoulos received a very touching nomination from a patient who said he owes his life to him.

The patient has a history of lupus and is currently diagnosed with bladder cancer. He has also had to endure other complications due to his illness. He felt the care Mr Dimopoulos had given to him had been most outstanding care.  

The patient said: “I know it’s his job but Mr Dimopoulos needs recognition. I’m still under his care and he continues to give me the best care 18 months on. Encouraging, respectful, caring to my family - I truly know without him, I would not be here today writing this.”  

The patient has suffered from lupus since he was 14. Now aged 40, he says nothing could have prepared him for the devastating news that he had aggressive bladder cancer. 

Emma Matthews (second row, first from left) and Dr Dora Amran (first row, second from the left)

Echo:

THE cardiac and medical day stay centre team received a special nomination from a husband who was so touched by the care and compassion his wife received from staff. 

Emma Matthews and Dr Dora Amran have helped the couple through a battle with secondary breast cancer.

The patient’s husband said: “My wife and I attend the unit frequently and I often notice other women with cancer who attend on their own. 

“I have seen such compassion and helpfulness on a ward from all staff whoever enters their department. “I often notice other women with cancer who attend on their own. Never have I seen such compassion and helpfulness.”

He added: “The team really do make a difference. During my wife’s treatment, we meet other cancer patients and they are always positive about the team.”