Two women who have helped improve care for frail patients have been honoured.

Beatriz Lopes and Telma Da Silva, both 27, won the Chief Executive’s Special Award at the Dartford and Gravesham Trust annual staff awards for their passionate care.

Beatriz and Telma are frail navigators, who assess patients over the age of 65 for frailty syndrome.

A spokesman for the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said: “The trust values are demonstrated by Beatriz and Telma always striving to excel. They put extra effort into improving the patient experience.

“Beatriz and Telma always work tirelessly to a professional standard and show respect and dignity in all that they do.”

Frailty syndrome causes deterioration, with the patient developing increased care needs and a higher risk of mortality. It can include falls, immobility, delirium and incontinence.

The navigators played a key role in the development of an A&E pathway to improve the care of frail and older patients on admission, and represented the trust in the national falls improvement campaign.

Beatriz and Telma are always willing to help out in other areas of the hospital and offer support to relatives, judges noted.

The trust added: “These awards represent a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the success of our dedicated and caring staff.

“We are immensely proud of them all and would like to thank them for their passion, loyalty and devotion to their patients, colleagues and the Trust.”

Other members of staff were also celebrated at the awards, which took place at Princes Park, Dartford.

Employees were recognised for their hard work with categories for improvement and innovation, compassion and care, and excellence.

The excellence award in the receptionist category was won by Ryan Coe, and Lorraine Head took home the contribution in a supporting role award. Staff wore hand-made stars on the night which were made by the children on Willow ward.