An occupational therapist from Bridgwater who helped a patient to stay out of hospital has been celebrated at an NHS awards ceremony.

Jess Froom, who works at Wessex House in Bridgwater, was among dedicated staff who were praised at the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s annual awards ceremony.

More than 100 nominations were submitted for the awards, which took place at Taunton Rugby Club in November, and were hosted by Somerset Partnership Trust chief executive Peter Lewis and chairman Stephen Ladyman.

Judges had the tricky task of shortlisting these nominations down to 20 for the eight categories of awards including a patients’ choice award and a learner of the year.

But judges struggled to pick just one winner for the ‘Patient’s Choice and Compassion in Care’ Award, picking Jess Froom and the Bridgwater Dental Access Centre.

The patient who nominated Jess said she made a ‘huge positive impact’ during her time at Wessex House, and listed a number of things she had done to help her, including creating a morning routine.

In her nomination, the patient added: “She also used a ‘moving on’ pack to help prepare me for discharge, with this being my third admission, discharge was very scary but the work we did with this really helped me and made this discharge the most effective one – I’ve not been back to hospital since.

“I am honestly so grateful to her and the effort and enthusiasm she puts into her job.”

The team at Bridgwater Dental Access were praised by a patient for the caring and helpful manner from all staff.

The ‘very nervous’ patient said: “From the moment you walk in the door the receptionist greets you with a smile and a caring and helpful manner.

“This happy and helpful spirit continues through the nurses and dentists."

And Jess Froom had not one success on the evening but two, having also won the Chief Executive’s ‘Learner of the Year’ Award.

Jess was nominated for being proactive while she was completing the trust’s Preceptorship Programme last year.

Her nominator said: “Jess has shown great commitment to her professional development during her preceptorship year, resulting in her being able to take on increasing responsibility at Wessex House.

“She has gained hugely in her confidence which in turn has impacted positively on her work with patients.”

Peter Lewis, chief executive of Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Musgrove Park, said: “It was a privilege to be able to host these awards, which are my first since becoming joint chief executive of the two organisations.

“Our colleagues work tirelessly to ensure our patients get the best care possible and these awards are a testimony to that.

Stephen Ladyman paid tribute to the 4000 staff working across Somerset Partnership and said: “In these challenging times for the NHS, our staff continue to take great pride in what they do and continue to put our patients first."