Rotherham Hospital worker receives New Year Honour

A COMMUNICATIONS officer who “single-handedly” ensured Rotherham Hospital staff were kept informed during the pandemic has been awarded in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Damian Staples (32) has been given a BEM for services to the NHS during Covid-19 after keeping staff at the Trust up-to-date on the changing situation.

Damian, who lives in Worksop, provided emotional support and guidance to colleagues under stress and even continued working hard from home while in self isolation as he battled the virus himself.

He played a valuable role working with partners across Rotherham to ensure a clear, consistent approach to communications, working with colleagues at the Clinic Commissioning Group, local trusts, council and the voluntary sector.

He took on additional duties including working on a staff Covid helpline set up for this crisis, provided information, support and a triage service to staff and family members who displayed symptoms, and booked people in for swab tests when required.

He also helped to set up antibody testing for staff and communicated this, often coming in at 6am to help out for three hours every morning before he started his own duties in his usual role.

And his joint working with the Rotherham Advertiser was also praised for helping to communicate “balanced messages to the public”.