STAFF from Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust celebrated their colleague’s achievement at the Thames valley and Wessex regional NHS Leadership Academy awards.

Pamela Ellis, who has been based at the Dorchester hospital for 12 years, scooped the Patient Champion of the Year award, fighting off competition from 17 other entrants.

The Consultant Orthodontist worked with other staff on a year-long project to ease anxiety in patients, which included creating photo story cards to explain treatment procedures for those suffering from learning disabilities.

Speaking of her win, Pamela said: “It’s not an individual effort, it’s a team effort.

“All of the orthodontic team have shown enthusiasm and support for the project. I didn’t know I had been nominated until I actually got to the awards ceremony. I was very lucky to win out of all the projects, I was delighted.”

Pamela said she wanted to thank the whole orthodontic department and colleagues Sarah Silverton and Lorna Hollingsworth, without whom the accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible.