Wansbeck General Hospital had the pleasure of welcoming two special guests: Fay Lane, Senior Estates and Facilities Workforce Lead at NHS England, and Mark Edwards, Business 
Development Manager at MyPorter. Their visit was a special one as they came to collect the Dennis Southern Lifetime Achievement Shield from its 2024 winner, our esteemed porter, Paul Green.
To mark the occasion, Paul was presented with a commemorative trophy to keep, surrounded by NHFM Managing Director, Damon Kent, Chief Operating Officer, Brian Cowan, and his fellow porters in a fitting celebration of his remarkable career.
The national award was established in memory of Dennis Southern, a dedicated porter at Northumbria Healthcare who sadly passed away in 2020. Dennis was renowned for his compassion, dedication, and unwavering service to patients and their families.
In his impressive 50-year career, Paul has embodied the same qualities as Dennis, providing countless patients with care and support during their most vulnerable moments. His commitment and professionalism stand as a testament to what makes a truly brilliant porter.
Fay Lane, who first met Paul when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 MyPorter Awards, was delighted to attend the shield handover. She said:
“It was a real privilege to be invited to today’s handover. Speaking with Paul, it’s clear he’s had a remarkable 50-year career. His efforts are deeply valued by his fellow porters. Paul exemplifies dedication, hard work, and compassion, and it’s evident his contributions have brought joy to many people over the years.”
Mark Edwards, who began his own career as a porter at Hull University Teaching Hospitals, echoed her sentiments:
“The MyPorter Awards were created to celebrate the often-unsung heroes in healthcare — those working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep patients safe and enhance their hospital experience. From what I’ve learned about Paul’s career, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. It’s been an honour to present him with his official keepsake trophy today.”