Two Tamworth based health workers last week clinched individual awards in the South Staffordshire Patients’ Choice – Quality and Excellence awards.

Rachel Golding (P)Peripatetic clinical psychologist Rachel Golding who was unable to attend the award ceremony, was awarded the Individual Excellence award.  Rachel works with young autistic children and adults as a consultant based at Tamworth’s Hockley Centre, but also covering Uttoxeter, Burntwood, Lichfield and Burton on Trent.  Rachel who has been working in the area for over 20 years has touched the lives of many families working in the diagnostic assessment unit of the Communication and Social Development Assessment/Advisory Service (CASDAS).

The small team assess and diagnoses autism in youngsters aged between five and 18-years-old, working with both the individual and the families affected.

Katy O’Sulivan, mother of an autistic patient who Rachel helped nominated her for the award. She said:

“She has given us, and my son, a life. I genuinely had a child who was in his bedroom from morning til night and was very scared of the world and scared to go outside – and she has absolutely changed that for us.

“The role was meant to be a part-time one but she’s come round to our home at 7pm to drop off a specific book she wants us to read or thinks will help.

She has given us an understanding of our son.

“We have so much to thank you for and you have completely changed our lives. You’re an absolutely wonderful person and you really deserve this.”

Imad Soryal receiving his award

Imad Soryal receiving his award

Another Tamworth healthworker though was also awarded at last Wednesday’s (September 9) ceremony.

Dr Imad Soryal who practices at the towns Sir Robert Peel Hospital was presented the Clinical Excellence award and was described as “always putting his patients first” and “going above and beyond” his expected duties.

Speaking of this award Dr Soryal said:

“I’m not used to being honoured in this way for what I do for a living. I owe everything to the patients. I am a product of Staffordshire: I trained here and am now a consultant here and I’m very fortunate.

“What’s important for me is working on a model that is centred around the patient, not the clinician.

“My patients are my key priority and it is a privilege to know that vulnerable people put their trust and faith in me and the team to look after them whilst they are in hospital.”

The Patients’ Choice – Quality and Excellence Awards which was launched by the South Staffordshire PCT launched in April, received nearly 100 nominations from patients and the public in South Staffordshire. The event was staged at Staffordshire County Showground and was presented by television presenter Michael Collie.