Medical Secretary named as finalist for Unsung Hero Awards

Ros Charlett

A Medical Secretary in the Department of Neuroradiology at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) has made the shortlist in the Admin & Clerical category of the Unsung Hero Awards 2021.

Ros Charlett, nominated by one of the four Interventional Consultants she supports at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, has been recognised for her passion in looking after patients and their families.

The Unsung Hero Awards, launched in 2015, aims to promote and celebrate non-medical/clinical NHS staff and volunteers.

Ros, who was inspired to join the NHS after her dad received “excellent” care, was nominated by Dr Victoria Young, one of the Consultant Interventional Neuroradiologists and on behalf of her colleagues.

Dr Young said: "Ros is the backbone of our team, the cheerful voice who is the reassuring contact point for our patients, and I can honestly say I could not do my job without her. There are so many ways she has gone above and beyond for the team and out patients. Our team is so proud that she has been nominated, and we have our fingers crossed for her in the final."

Her nomination added: "Ros is deeply invested in the service and cares passionately about our patients. This is shown in everything she does from the cheerful phone calls to our patients, who constantly tell me how amazing she is, to the flowers and cards she gets from them showing how they appreciate what she does.

"On a daily basis there are little things, such as a reassuring phone call to a relative, who is anxious about the procedure their loved one is undergoing, to making sure the patient has their usual paper or favourite chocolate bar.

"Her repour with the patients and their families is the starting point for the relationship our patients have with the service. They are often very scared as they have a problem which is potentially life-threatening and are undergoing dangerous procedures. The initial impressions of the service are made by the first contact they have which is usually Ros."

Ros, who is up against two others in the Admin & Clerical category, said: "I feel so very honoured to be nominated for this award, and I also feel so extremely lucky to be able to work with such a fantastic team.

"To be able to come to work every day and love the job that I have is brilliant, and it goes without saying that I will continue to do the very best job that I can for our patients and any one that may need my help.

"My reason for coming to the NHS was to give something back for the excellent care my father received while in hospital, so for every patient I talk to or meet I will treat them with the same excellence and care."

Ros being nominated means OUH is one of 32 trusts that have been shortlisted in this year's awards. The full shortlist and more information can be found on the Unsung Hero Awards website.

The ceremony will take place in person at an event in November, with dates and details to be confirmed.