A MAINTENANCE worker who came to the rescue of a woman whose pram had broken has been named employee of the month at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Ferdinando Calamela, better known as ‘Dino’, went above and beyond what was expected of him in helping ensure that a hospital visitor could return home.

He had spotted the woman having trouble with her pram, which had broken at Burnley General Hospital and stepped in to try and fix it.

When he realised that it was unfixable the woman became upset, but Dino was quick to respond and gave her money so she could get a taxi home.

The woman was thrilled and returned to the hospital the following day to pay the money back.

Dino, whose family hails from Sicily, lives in Burnley and has worked across the trust’s sites, including the Royal Blackburn Hospital, for the past 15 years.

He said after winning the November award: “I think it’s everybody’s duty to help people out, it’s just human kindness.

“We’re a great team here and I know that any of the others would have done exactly the same as I did.”

Dino’s manager, Duncan Hodgkinson, who nominated him, said: “Dino is a great member of the team and often goes above and beyond what is expected of him.

“On this occasion he ensured a visitor was well looked after and that a situation that could have caused them stress was properly managed and made sure they left happy and satisfied.”

Kevin McGee, the trust’s chief executive, said after presenting Dino with his certificate: “The 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.”