A ‘WARM and friendly’ health care worker has won the newly-launched employee of the month award at East Lancashire’s hospital trust.

Janice Pilkington, an admin assistant at Accrington PALS health centre, has scooped the October award for her work with the Pennine-Lancashire integrated musculoskeletal service, after being nominated by her manager Stefan Verstraelen.

He said: “I’ve always been impressed by her work ethic, attitude and how she deals with people.

“She’s very friendly and warm in how she communicates and she has a lot of integrity.

“Janice works in a little room in the back of the building where many people will never see her.

“Many people like that get forgotten about, but they are enormously important in delivering our services.”

The awards aim to recognise staff that go the extra mile for patients, as East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust looks to boost staff morale after the organisation spent most of the last year in special measures.

Janice, who lives in Rawtenstall, said: “I was really pleased to receive this award from our chief executive.

“Everyone here cares about the patients and makes sure they’re well looked after and my role in helping provide support to the team plays a part in this and supports the end goal of making people feel better.”

Chief executive Kevin McGee said: “The employee of the month award gives all staff the opportunity to nominate those people they work with who go the extra mile in dealing with patients and the public.

“It’s always great to be able to celebrate the success of our staff and gives the winner well deserved recognition.”

The first award, for September, was given to safeguarding lead Kathy Bonney, but she did not wish to be interviewed due to the nature of her role.