Finance team scoop regional award as long-serving member is recognised with Lifetime Achievement title

Our colleagues have been celebrated for their work through the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) awards.

The Trust’s Finance Department has been recognised for their work through a regional awards celebration.

The Trust's Finance Team as they collected their HFMA Award.

Our colleagues won the ‘Large Team of the Year’ award. This was at the Regional Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Awards.

They were joint winners with the NENC ICB Finance Team.

Fiona Barnes also won a Lifetime Achievement award.

The team’s nomination highlighted its work to ensure patients get the best level of service. 

Improvements have led to automation and standardisation of processes in the department. These include financial forecasting, efficiency and board reporting.

Work on developments involving the team were also highlighted.

They include Community Diagnostics Centre, the new eye hospital and the Path to Excellence.

Also in the same category were North of England Care System, Support Accounts Payable at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Financial Services Team at Northumbria Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Our own Trust’s Accounts Payable team was also shortlisted.

Fiona has worked for South Tyneside and Sunderland for more than 30 years.

She joined the then City Hospitals Sunderland in 1990.

She has since held a series of roles within financial management. She has worked in the role of Finance Manager since 2019.

Her nomination said she had "shown consistent dedication to the team over the years".
It added she can always be relied on to help with urgent tasks and support others.

It added she was an “invaluable person within the team”. She plays a vital role in budget setting, co-ordinating divisional plans and ensuring accuracy.

She also helps with month end tasks. She also handles the production of the NHSI returns, board reports and central Trust activities.

Fiona also leads when it comes to team morale and is a Health and Wellbeing Champion.