STAFF from the eye departments at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have won a national award for their supportive approach to patient care.

The team picked up the Bayer Ophthalmology Honours 2015 award for the best patient support or education initiative at a recent awards evening.

The ceremony, hosted by British Army veteran Simon Weston, recognised and celebrated outstanding work in ophthalmology in the UK.

Worcestershire's entry beat off the competition from far and wide due to its "successful" Worcestershire Glaucoma Support Group, which includes an educational website.

The group, which was formed by Tarun Sharma, clinical director for ophthalmology and run by ophthalmology sister Sara Ruck and deputy directorate support manager for speciality medicine Sally Hunter, continues to expand, with over 100 people attending the last meeting.

Mr Sharma said: “We are very proud to receive this national award for the care and support we provide to our patients, their families and their friends.

"The judges mentioned that they were impressed by our superbly patient-centred approach and the outstanding feedback we receive from our patients.

“Our team goes above and beyond to make sure our patients receive the very best treatment from us and it is great to be recognised for the hard work we put in.

"Special mention has to go to Sally and Sara who both work exceptionally hard for our patients.”

Helen Devonport, one of the judges, said: “The quality of the entries received and the fact the we deliberated long and hard over selecting the winners, should give us great pride that, as a community, we are always striving to provide the best care we can to achieve optimum clinical outcomes for patients."

The team has previously received a highly commended place in the 2014 Health Service Journal value in healthcare awards and were recognised in the International Glaucoma Association awards as the best glaucoma ophthalmic unit in the UK for 2014-2015.

For more information, visit worcestershireglaucomasupport.co.uk