A successful business partnership between Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and contractors W Wright Electrical & Mechanical has earned site manger Matt Birkett an accolade at the PROUD Awards 2016.
Matt, of Sheffield-based W Wright’s, has worked with the Trust on major redevelopment and building projects at Rotherham Hospital and in the community for 16 years.He was presented with the Partners Award at the PROUD Awards in November by Director of Finance, Simon Sheppard.
Matt said: “I was really honoured to be nominated for a PROUD Award, let alone win. I was so surprised when Chris read my name out. As a sub-contractor it’s great to be recognised by the Trust for the work I’ve done to develop the hospital and community sites over the years. I’ve been here that long people actually don’t believe I’m not a Trust employee, which is nice.
“I think the awards show how important it is to work with specialist partners and contractors like W Wright’s Electrical & Mechanical.”
Matt and the team at W Wright’s Electrical & Mechanical have been involved in various redevelopment projects throughout the Trust, including the preparatory work for the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre. To enable the building work to go ahead, Matt helped with multiple ward moves and system changes. To do this well he worked behind the scenes with the clinical, site management and Estates and Facilities teams.
Matt’s other projects have also included work on redeveloping Wards A2, A3, A4, A7 and B11, the refurbishment of the Pathology department, the Pharmacy Dispensary Unit nine years ago, the Purple Butterfly family suites and enabling the demolition of the mental health site. As part of W Wrights ongoing MTC contract his team are due to commence work on ensuring the Children’s Ward is up to date.
Matt was nominated for the award by Ann Kerrane, the Assistant Director for Infection Prevention and Control, who said: “The difference Matt makes with his professional can do attitude means I know all the building work, refurbishments and maintenance work carried out by him and his team will be performed well and will meet the safe standards of the Trust in terms of infection prevention and control, cleanliness, dust control and waste management. This keeps our patients and colleagues safe from the risks which are often invisible to others.
“Matt feels part of the team and the excellent partnership working means he now anticipates the requirements I will want before I’ve seen the project drawings and building plans.
“The deadlines for all the ward moves in the past were tight but necessary to keep the impact on patient care to a minimum and the hospital running effectively. Matt always leads by example and is usually found up a ladder late into the night. Congratulations on your award!”