AN Urmston auxiliary nurse has been named as one Spire Manchester two employees of the year.

Elena Tupelus, 36, was recognised after Spire Healthcare – which has a clinic in Hale and a hospital in Whalley Range – was named Hospital Group of the Year at HealthInvestor Awards.

The event is one of the main awards for the health sector.

And Spire Manchester has also just been rated number one for patient satisfaction, by its patients, within the Spire group.

To celebrate these recent achievements, the hospital set up an annual employee of the year award which recognises the hard work and patient feedback for a clinical and non-clinical team member.

Chris Chadwick, director for Spire Manchester Hospital and Clinic Hale, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Hospital Group of the Year and locally, we are thrilled that Spire Manchester is number one in the group for patient satisfaction.

"We are pleased the judges recognised the investments made in Spire and the hard work and dedication everyone at Spire Healthcare gives to providing high quality patient care.

“We hope the award, and our own Spire Manchester employee of the year scheme, highlights to the people of Greater Manchester that they have access to the highest quality, award-winning hospital, right on their door-step.

"It’s our team here at Spire Manchester that makes a huge difference to our patients' journey and outcomes.”

Elena was recognised alongside 34-year-old Michelle Williams from Fallowfield, who works in reception and patient services.

Elena said: “I was so happy to find out I was Spire Manchester’s clinical employee of the year.

"Being voted for by my colleagues made me feel like an integral member of the team.

"Spire Manchester has recently funded my training to qualify as a level three auxiliary nurse and I couldn’t imagine a better company to work for.”