Kabiru crowned king of the porters
A local hospital porter has been voted best in the UK.
Kabiru Ogundipe was voted Porter of the Year at the annual MyPorter awards which celebrate the work of non-clinical staff.
The 51-year-old has worked at Northwick Park Hospital for the past eleven years and clocks up several miles a day moving patients to and from different parts of the hospital.
Kabiru had his Gwyneth Paltrow moment when he was announced the winner admitting he shed a tear.
“I did get a bit emotional,” laughed the Medirest employee after hearing he had been among 300 nominees at the ceremony in central London.
“It was so unexpected and lovely to win.”
Kabiru was cited in the awards for his response to an attempted suicide when a patient jumped from a window and he was among the first responders.
“I was just doing my job. It’s all about teamwork at the end of the day.”
So, what makes a good porter?
“I think you need to be a good people person. I really enjoy chatting with patients, putting them at ease and reassuring them they are in the best place.
“I know so many people here now that it’s almost like my second family. I commute from south London and have no intention of moving to a hospital closer to home. I’d miss everyone.”