A SPECIAL "Unsung Hero" award was presented to a group of police officers and specialist nurses who provided support to the victims and bereaved families following the Manchester Arena terror attack on May 22.

The Chairman of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, which runs Pennine Acute Hospitals and Salford Royal, presented the award to the ‘Police/Nurses Swan Squad’ at the climax of the Pennine Acute’s 8th annual Staff Awards event.

The staff awards are a highlight in the Trust calendar in celebrating and recognising the success and achievements of staff at all levels across the Trust’s four hospitals and community services in North Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and B

Bury.

Uniquely, the ‘Unsung Hero Award’, sponsored by ANS Group, did not just go to members of Trust staff, but to a team working across the NHS and Greater Manchester Police which pulled together as one team with a shared purpose in response to the Manchester bomb in May. The team comprises the hospital’s SWAN bereavement nurses, GMP police officers and Coroners.

Group Chairman, Jim Potter, said: “This is a team who’s professionalism, skill, responsiveness, compassion and courage has been second to none as they have faced, without doubt, their most difficult and testing period in their careers. The team played, and continue to do so, such an important role in the aftermath of the terrible attack at the Manchester Arena on 22nd May where sadly 22 people lost their lives and so many others were injured and affected by the incident.

“What is so very special about this team is that this is very much a discreet team that quietly in the background do what they are best at - caring and supporting people in the darkest and most difficult of circumstances.

"They were a 24/7 team. Everyone went well above and beyond. Their impact and ongoing support provided to the victims and their families has been immeasurable. They have given these families control in what has been a very difficult uncontrolled situation within extraordinary circumstances. Everyone who has been involved in this fantastic team has contributed beyond words in the vital role they have provided for the victims and in supporting their families.”