Jane Tomkinson, finance director of Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, has been named as Finance Director of the Year at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Awards 2007. The awards recognise achievement in heath service management with a particular focus on finance. 
Ms Tomkinson was one of nine winners to receive awards at the awards ceremony in central London last night, held during the HFMA’s annual conference. The award acknowledged Ms Tomkinson’s role in the Countess of Chester’s strong financial performance since becoming a foundation trust, her championing of staff development and contributions to the finance function both within the North West region and nationally.
Nine awards in total were made to organisations, teams and individuals, recognising achievements in financial management, financial reporting and governance.
South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was named as HFMA Foundation Trust of the Year – the only foundation trust award to be endorsed by foundation trust regulator Monitor. The award recognised the significant achievements in integrating psychiatric and learning disabilities services formerly run by local PCTs.
In other major awards North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust were singled out as HFMA Accounts Team of the Year, While Bromley Primary Care Trust and Devon Partnership NHS Trust were both winners in HFMA Financial Management Award (separate categories for PCTs and trusts/FTs).
HFMA chairman Andy Leary, who sat on a number of judging panels and presented the awards, said the HFMA Awards was an opportunity to celebrate the talent and achievements of the NHS finance profession. ‘The awards provide a showcase for the best in NHS financial and healthcare management,’ he said. ‘As well as celebrating success, innovation and achievement, the awards are a great way to inspire others, generate ideas and spread best practice.’
The HFMA awards have been running since 2004 and were expanded this year with new award categories, making them the most comprehensive awards programme for healthcare financial management and governance. In total some 28 organisations and individuals were shortlisted for the nine awards.
If you would like pictures of the award winners please contact
nick.shipway@hfma.org.uk after midday today.
Back