A Great Western Hospital worker has scooped a Parliamentary Award.

Sam Walklett, GWH's health and wellbeing project manager, has scooped the south west Parliamentary Award in the Wellbeing at Work category.

She was picked from 70 other nominations and will be shortlisted for the national awards taking place next year.

Sam delivered thousands of drinks, sweet treats and healthy ready meals to staff working in every ward and department of the acute hospital to ensure they were kept fed and hydrated while taking a proper break.

Sam set up wobble rooms, giving staff a quiet space to reflect and share thoughts during the pandemic.

Chief executive Kevin McNamara said: “We put Sam forward for this award as a thank you for the contribution she has made to our staff health and wellbeing programme, both before the pandemic and during.

“A huge thank you to Sam for her leadership on this. We are very proud of what you have done – showing us all what we can do when we support each other.”

MP Justin Tomlinson said: "We know the stress the pandemic has placed on our health care professionals as they work tirelessly to tackle COVID. It is fantastic that Sam has focused on the wellbeing of GWH Hospital Trust Staff, and provided them vital space and opportunity to relax where possible."