STAFF at Great Western Hospital were given the red carpet treatment at this year's Special Achievement Awards.

There was a record 20 awards for both teams and individuals to recognise outstanding contribution to the Trust or to patient care.

Among the winners were the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) team, which in just two years, has reduced the waiting time for a scan from eight months to five weeks.

Switchboard workers were also honoured for their professionalism and commitment to providing a 24-hour service to staff and the public alike.

And Wiltshire's Cardiac Centre team received an award for working hard to change and improve services for cardiology patients and bring down waiting times, despite part of their department being used for emergency admissions.

Individuals were also recognised. The Chairman's Award went to Jo Hutt for her work in setting up new units in response to the demand for extra beds, including setting up and running 'The Starship Enterprise' a temporary 14-bed unit in the Renal Unit.

Brian Pearson, who runs the catering for Carillion, the Trust's private sector partners, was praised for always giving 100 per cent and 'going the extra mile to satisfy the customer'.

Lyn Fitz-John, a sister on the children's ward was nominated for making the stay on the ward special for children and their families. Volunteers Barbara Longden and Flo Parker were honoured for their hard work and contribution to the Trust.

And there was a special presentation to Juniper Bracey who retired recently after 21 years with the Trust in Marlborough.

The awards were presented by deputy mayor Peter Stoddard, Trust chair Patsy Newton and chief executive Lyn Hill-Tout.

Ms Hill-Tout said: "It is absolutely great to be able to celebrate all these people's successes. We are now in our fourth year and the event gets more exciting each year.

"It just goes to show the amazing amount of superb work that goes on in this Trust and everyone who received their crystal goblets and certificates today should feel very proud of the contribution they have made."

Awards organiser Diane Walsh added: "This event goes from strength to strength every year. We got a record number of nominations this year."