After 47 years working at Newcastle' s hospitals, recently-retired hotel services manager Jackie Thompson has won a prestigious national lifetime achievement award at a ceremony held in the Westminster.
Jackie, who began her career almost half a century ago as a domestic supervisor and rose up through the ranks - retiring after leading the RVI team ensuring a patient's stay in hospital goes as smoothly as possible. As hotel services manager, she was in charge of teams like the hospital porters and domestic staff.
This week, as the NHS celebrated its 74th birthday, Jackie was given the prestigious lifetime achievement gong at the NHS Parliamentary Awards. MPs around the country nominate constituents they believe deserve recognition - and after Chi Onwurah MP put Jackie forward, she was lucky enough to win.
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On a night which saw twelve awards handed out to NHS heroes around the UK, Jackie was one of just a handful of individuals honoured - and said she had been stunned to win. She said: "When I was nominated back in April I never expected to be going to Westminster to receive this award! I was so overwhelmed. I had a fantastic career at the RVI with a fantastic team of staff and I’m just really really proud. It’s added to me retiring on a high!"
Jackies's award also highlighted her contribution during the Covid-19 crisis - she led the team responsible for managing hospital housekeeping for Covid patients.
John Thompson, head of facilities at the RVI, added a tribute to his now-departed colleague. He said: "I’m so proud of Jackie receiving national recognition for what we already knew, and that was that Jackie was always a true leader and professional. Jackie wore her heart on her sleeve and was very proud of all 420 + staff who she respected, admired, and always had time for.
"I can’t think of a better recognition that winning a national lifetime achievement award at the NHS Parliamentary awards 2022, I hope now she can enjoy her long deserved and health retirement with the knowledge that 'wor' Jackie is now a national treasure."
Dame Jackie Daniel, the hospital trust's chief exec, added: "This is a huge accolade for Jackie and a fitting way to celebrate her many years of dedicated service to the NHS. We owe a huge debt of gratitude for her high standards and hard work. We are all so proud of her."
And Dr Yvette Oade, who is the NHS England regional medical director for the North East and Yorkshire, also spoke of how the awards ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of staff during Covid-19. She said: "The NHS is nothing without the people who work in and alongside it, and the NHS Parliamentary awards were a brilliant opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution they make across the country.
"It was fantastic to hear about the inspiring work, dedication and innovation of the health and care workers across the North East and Yorkshire, especially the immense achievements of Jackie during the pandemic."
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