TWO TOP health bosses have been declared the best in the country.

David Sollis and Tammy Diles romped home in national awards for patient experience.

David is Engagement Manager for Healthwatch Essex, an independent organisation which represents patient interests.

He took “Manager of the Year” at the Patient Experience Network National Awards.

Tammy is Head of Patient Experience at Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust. She took Professional of the Year at the Birmingham-held event.

Healthwatch Essex chief executive Dr Tom Nutt called David’s win fantastic news for Colchester and his group.

“PENNA really does recognise the cream of those people across the country around the delivery of outstanding patient experience in the health and social care industry, so both David and Tammy should be very proud.”

Healthwatch Essex was also a finalist in the ‘Championing the Public’ category for its YEAH! Project, which explored the attitude of young people towards healthcare.

In addition to winning the ‘Manager of the Year’ award, Healthwatch Essex was also a finalist in the ‘Championing the Public’ category for its YEAH! Project, which explored the attitude of young people towards healthcare.

It comes after recent plaudits for its ‘Healthwatch Harriet’ film in which a 10-year-old girl quizzes health bosses about plans for change called STPs, which has been praised by Lords and a Minister of State for Health.

Dr Nutt added: “The Healthwatch Harriet film is just the latest example of how David and his team have truly engaged people. Involving people is not always as easy as it looks and finding innovative ways to get the message across and listen to what people have to say is a skill in itself.”

A spokesman for Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust commented: “This is a tremendous achievement for Tammy and also shows the Trust’s commitment to work tirelessly to ensure that every patient, every day has the best possible experience”.

Further details of the awards can be found at www.patientexperiencenetwork.org Information on Healthwatch Essex and the film Healthwatch Harriet can be seen at www.healthwatchessex.org.uk .The work of Colchester Hospital can be found at www.colchesterhospital.nhs.uk