Publish date: 25 February 2026
NHS estates and facilities staff shortlisted for national awards
Dedicated estates and facilities staff from Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management (NHFM) are celebrating after being shortlisted for two prestigious national awards.
The subsidiary of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has received nominations in both the MyPorter and MyCleaning Awards – recognising the outstanding contribution of healthcare porters and domestic teams who play a vital role behind the scenes.
A lifetime of dedication
Steve Riley, driver/porter at NHFM, has been shortlisted for the Dennis Southern Lifetime Achievement Award – a fitting tribute to an incredible 50-year career.
Steve joined the trust just four days after leaving school and has since built a career defined by dedication, adaptability and pride in his work. Over five decades, he has worked across catering, domestic services, portering and transportation – always willing to step into new roles and embrace new challenges.
One of his proudest achievements came in 2010, when he was asked to take on the role of waste manager. Drawing on his broad operational knowledge, Steve led a number of environmentally positive initiatives, including helping to establish offensive waste as a separate category from clinical waste – a change that delivered both environmental and financial benefits for the trust.
In 2015, Steve flexi-retired and returned to portering and driving – a role that sees him travel more than 50,000 miles each year transporting samples, specimens, blood, post, supplies and even colleagues between sites.
Chris Campbell, soft services manager at NHFM, said: “Steve’s career story within NHFM and the trust is nothing short of remarkable. He takes immense pride in everything he does and always goes above and beyond.
Being shortlisted for the Dennis Southern Lifetime Achievement Award is particularly special to Steve, as Dennis was not only a colleague but a friend. This recognition couldn’t go to someone more deserving.”
Teamwork in action
The domestic services team at Wansbeck General Hospital have also been shortlisted – this time for Team of the Year.
Known for their strong team spirit and positive, can-do attitude, the group consistently goes above and beyond to keep the hospital clean, safe and welcoming for patients, visitors and staff.
Their nomination was supported by their response to a flood in the child health department. When the incident occurred late in the evening, the team immediately adopted an “all hands-on deck” approach, staying beyond their shifts to clean and restore the area, minimising disruption for patients and clinical teams the following day.
Beyond their day-to-day responsibilities, the team has also played an important role in welcoming internationally educated nurses to the trust – offering practical support, sharing local knowledge, baking homemade treats and even helping colleagues settle into permanent accommodation.
Lillian Key, domestic superintendent, said: “I am delighted the team has been recognised by being shortlisted for this prestigious award. They provide an outstanding service every day, ensuring the hospital remains clean, safe and tidy – but what truly sets them apart is how they come together when faced with complex situations.
I am incredibly proud of the team and proud to be part of such a ha