Launching the fifth National Porter and Cleaning Awards: back and bigger than ever!

The highly anticipated moment for everyone in Healthcare Facilities Management has arrived—the official relaunch of the prestigious National MyPorter Awards and MyCleaning Awards. Once again, the Awards are proudly held in association with NHS England.

The Awards will take place in February, following a hugely successful fourth year, which was incredibly well attended and saw hundreds of nominations. In 2025, the occasion promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Held by GV Healthcare, the Awards will shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes within healthcare, offering the stage to some remarkable individuals and teams within healthcare portering and domestic services. Gold Sponsors, ISS and Compass Medirest, have reinforced their commitment to the Awards for 2025, demonstrating their huge appreciation of these vitally important teams.

The live events, held across two days, are to host over 300 delegates from across the UK, with a conference each day welcoming high-profile industry experts to offer exclusive insights into the latest advances in the worlds of Portering and Cleaning.

Once again, the Awards are open to all within Portering and Domestic Services from any healthcare setting across the UK (NHS or Private). There is also an International Award open to anyone within Portering or Domestic Services outside the UK, which celebrates the invaluable contributions of healthcare staff worldwide. While their roles may vary, their unwavering commitment to ensuring positive patient outcomes is universal.

The impact of previous winners goes far beyond the hospital in which they are based, with stories of extraordinary resilience, outstanding teamwork, and unparalleled patient care inspiring the judges and everyone lucky enough to hear them. So much so, for the past two years, award winners have made it onto Sky News to share more about their journeys.

Matt Wright, CEO at GV Healthcare, commented on the relaunch of the Awards:

“I am delighted that we have relaunched the MyPorter Awards and MyCleaning Awards for 2025. These are fantastic opportunities for individuals to come forward with inspiring stories of dedication, commitment and excellence within healthcare domestic services and portering teams.

“I would like to thank our partners and sponsors who have demonstrated their appreciation of those who are often unsung heroes within healthcare. They will play a huge part in ensuring the Awards truly recognise and celebrate these remarkable contributions to patient care.

“2025’s Awards are going to be the best yet! I would urge anyone to submit an entry to give someone they know the opportunity to receive the recognition they deserve.”

Phil Shelley, Senior Operational Manager at NHS England, said:

“We’re delighted to be involved in these prestigious awards once again, to highlight the fantastic work done by our Porters and our Cleaning Operatives, day in and day out, up and down the country.

“It's an honour to play a part in recognising these individuals for the praise these awards give them and have taken great personal joy in witnessing so many winners over the last few years at the live events as they continue to grow year on year.“It’s time to celebrate those deserving of higher recognition for their hard work and dedication within Portering and Domestic Services once again, so don’t hesitate: get your nominations in now.”

This is an opportunity to shine the spotlight on our incredible healthcare heroes by nominating them in one of the 14 available categories. Doing so couldn’t be easier, with an online nomination process via the GV Healthcare website. Individuals can also express interest in attending by registering online – in 2024, the guest lists were oversubscribed, so early sign up is encouraged.

To submit a nomination for, or to register interest in attending, the MyPorter Awards, visit: www.myporterlogistics.com

Nomination categories are:

MyPorter Awards-

• MyPorter Porter of The Year Award

• The Dennis Southern Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by ISS

• Portering Team of The Year Award

• Leadership of The Year Award

• MyPorter International Porter of The Year Award

• Newcomer of The Year Award

• Outstanding Contribution to Patient Experience Award

Helpful tips for a good nomination entry:

1. Read the criteria and ask yourself “what will impress the judges?”

2. Write the whole story – provide as much detail as possible

3. Ask your comms team to help you write your entry – this is their bread and butter, they will love to help you.

If you’re a company who would like to show your support for the event and the porters and cleaners themselves, we have various remaining sponsorship opportunities. There are limited remaining packages, so don’t hesitate if you would like to get involved.

If you are interested, please email: marketing@globalviewsystems.co.uk and a member of the team will be in touch.

The National MyPorter Awards 2024 Winners

In the heart of healthcare, where ordinary individuals become extraordinary heroes, one name shines across the nation – Gordon To. A beacon of compassion and effectiveness, Gordon is not just a porter; he's the embodiment of resilience, courage, and unwavering dedication.

In May 2023, a routine patient transfer request unravelled into a life-or-death situation at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Gordon, the unsung hero, faced a chaotic situation and swiftly navigated through the unexpected. A patient had locked herself in the toilet and tied with a ligature around her neck. With quick thinking, Gordon forced entry, cut the ligature, and orchestrated a life-saving intervention. His calm authority and decisive actions echoed through the hospital corridors, leaving an indelible mark on the lives he touched.

Fast forward to July, and Gordon found himself at the forefront of yet another incident. A patient, in a state of partial undress, took an unexpected plunge into the hospital's expansive lake. Gordon, alongside medical teams and the fire service, played a pivotal role in the safe recovery of the patient. His actions not only ensured the patient's safety but also showcased the power of teamwork and resilience.

Gordon's story goes beyond the walls of Royal Bournemouth Hospital; it resonates with every corner of the nation. His quick thinking and unparalleled expertise have turned the tide in numerous high-stakes scenarios, earning him the heartfelt praise of the ward teams he supports. As we unveil Gordon as the unanimous choice for the prestigious Outstanding Contribution To Patient Experience Award, his narrative becomes a symbol of hope, courage, and dedication for a national audience.

Taking place in central London, the National MyPorter Awards saw seven awards presented to the finalists from across the country and beyond, who made the judges shortlist. The broad range of over 300+ entries showed just why Healthcare Portering Services deserve to be honoured and praised. Nominations such as that for eventual winner of the Porter of The Year Award, Kabiru Ogundipe of London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

Kabiru's heroism truly shines in the face of adversity. He was involved in a traumatic incident where a patient attempted suicide, jumping from the 9th floor of the hospital. Kabiru, among the first responders, stayed past his shift, supporting the medical team tirelessly. In another critical moment, following a crash call, Kabiru's quick thinking ensured the timely access to emergency blood for a patient in a life-threatening situation. His vigilance extended to monitoring the patient's progress through CT scans and ITU, ensuring the availability of necessary blood products at every stage. Today, that patient is on the path to recovery, thanks to Kabiru's unwavering professionalism. Kabiru's commitment doesn't stop within the hospital walls; he extends his benevolence to Project Search, offering work experience and mentorship to those with learning difficulties or on the Autism spectrum. His dedication to duty of care goes beyond the ordinary, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

In Kabiru's own words, "Where I come from, we love helping people. Duty of care is of paramount importance to me." Today, we honour Kabiru Ogundipe, not just as Porter of the Year but as a national hero, a beacon of hope, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. His story transcends hospital corridors, touching the hearts of a nation that celebrates heroes like him.

Phil Shelley, Senior Operational Manager at NHS England said at the event: “Today has been a privilege and an honour to meet colleagues from across the country, hear their personal stories and experiences, and be able to present the awards and recognition that they truly deserve. Our Portering Teams and Individuals are integral to the success of a patient journey throughout the varying healthcare sites, a massive thank you  for everything that they do ”. 

Winners

MyPorter Porter of The Year, sponsored by ISS: 

Kabiru Ogundipe – London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Newcomer of The Year, sponsored by Wheelshare: 

Steven Baughan – Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Leadership of The Year: 

Andrew O’Donnell – Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Outstanding Contribution to Patient Experience, sponsored by Global View:

Gordon To – University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Portering Team of The Year:

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Dennis Southern Lifetime Achievement: 

Paul Green – Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

MyPorter International Porter of The Year: 

Donna Murphy – Jersey General Hospital

Watch Event Highlights:

National MyPorter Awards 2024 on Sky News

See more from previous MyPorter Awards:

2020 Press Coverage

2022 Press Coverage

2023 Press Coverage

The National MyPorter Awards 2023 Winners

Ebenezer Opalemo-Jimoh representing Victor Adjei - winner of the MyPorter Porter of The Year Winner

Victor Adjei, of Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield has this week been recognised by the NHS and awarded for his work as a porter, standing out for the judges among masses of entries from the UK & Ireland. A passionate person, dubbed a ‘ray of sunshine’ Victor never says ‘no’ to work and always goes the extra mile, with a smile on his face and willingness to apply his many skills wherever they are required, assisting on weekends and staying late where other shifts can’t be covered due to sickness or absence. Victor is an inspiration to his team because of his empathy and positivity. Team members emulate him because of the optimistic, dedicated way he cares for everyone around him. All his work as a porter was just the beginning for the NHS judges, when they found out how Victor had suffered through personal challenges, it became impossible not to see him as a worthy winner. Father to a very unwell child who still requires 24-hour care, he spent over a year at his child’s bedside at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Battling through dire prognoses, including the recommendation that he turn off his child’s life support, Victor slept on the floor of the hospital ward before travelling into work each day. Despite doctors’ advice that he should give up work to avoid this daily struggle, he refused, stating that living in the hospital gave him a clearer appreciation of how porters and other staff can be instrumental in a patient’s outlook. Stating: “I love what I do and the unique contribution we make to our patients’ recovery. This is my why”. This week, Victor found out he is the winner of the MyPorter – Porter of The Year Award at this years’ National MyPorter Awards – in association with NHS England. Taking place in central London, the National MyPorter Awards saw six awards presented to the finalists from across the country who made the NHS judges shortlist. The broad range of entries showed just why the NHS porters deserve to be honoured and praised, just like the Doctors and Nurses they work with often are. Nominations such as that for eventual winner of the Dennis Southern – Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Robbie Graham. Robbie is a massive fan of Liverpool football Club and unfortunately in April 1989 when he was attending a match at Hillsborough Football Ground he was involved in a major incident that changed his life. He left that game with life changing injuries and had to rebuild his life and career path. After going back to college to complete studies in Health & Social Care, due to his injuries and disability he was unfortunately unable to go into full time employment, so he offered his services as a volunteer and joined a disabled Charity.

In 2004 Robbie decided to join the NHS and became a volunteer working with the portering team at Ormskirk District General Hospital. Robbie currently works 4 days a week and assists with several portering roles during his shift including delivering the post, assisting his colleagues in X-ray with transfers and also helps in Pharmacy.

Father-Daughter duo Jemma & Danny Roscoe at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust were also winners; Jemma recently attended site at 6am to assist with flooding, she moved sandbags and assisted with cleaning to minimise damage to the hospital. She always finds a solution to any issue that is presented to her, from ensuring special diet meals are delivered to the wards to fixing broken pipes at 5am. During Covid Danny Roscoe gave his personal mobile number to the wards and offered to assist with oxygen at any time of the day or night. Danny is the “go to” man on his hospital site, if there is a problem he will fix it! He frequently comes in during the festive period in his own time dressed as Santa and will sit and chat with patients in the local hospice – these examples of their great work resulted in them winning the ‘Portering Team of The Year Award’. The Finalists attended a live conference during the day which saw them hear guest speakers talk to them about the future of portering, team work and portering peers who talked best practice and the need for the Government to acknowledge the expertise of portering with a recognised qualification. Guests then dined on a three-course meal before the live awards ceremony celebrated the great work done by these unsung heroes of the NHS.

Fiona Daly - National Deputy Director of Estates at NHS England said at the event: “Today’s event has been brilliant, here, recognizing all the great work that is happening across the NHS with the portering services within Estates and Facilities – during times like the pandemic, the likes of the porters, the cleaners, the security guards – they kept the NHS going. They are the beating heart of NHS and it has been amazing to be here today recognizing all of their efforts not just for during the pandemic, but now as we move towards a period of recovery”.

Winners

Porter of The Year Award

Victor Adjei - Chase Farm Hospital (Royal Free London)

The Dennis Southern For Endeavour Award

Robbie Graham - Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust

Team of The Year Award

Jemma and Danny Roscoe - Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Leadership of The Year Award

Ryan Lindsay - Barnet Hospital (Royal Free London)

Outstanding Contribution to Patient Experience Award

Joshua Hawkins - Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Newcomer of The Year Award

Jack Teague - Royal Surrey County Hospital

International Porter of The Year

Craig McElroy - Beaumont Hospital

Sky News Interview