A NORTH-EAST surgical team checked into the NHS Parliamentary awards to collect an award they had been nominated for.

The team from the James Cook University Hospital's Thoracic Surgery Team in Middlesbrough were named North-East and Yorkshire Regional Champions for Excellence in Healthcare.

On Wednesday, July 10, the award-winning team met Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke and the health secretary Matt Hancock.

Thoracic consultant Jonathan Ferguson said: "The ceremony at the Palace of Westminster was a pivotal moment for the Thoracic Surgical Team at the James Cook University Hospital.

"The ceremony forced the team to realise that the quality of their care that they provide to patients in our area is exceptional. Our work is now nationally recognised as a benchmark for others hospital to aspire to.

"The team is deeply grateful to Simon Clarke for his engagement, thoughtfulness and for his nomination of our team for this award.”

Mr Clarke said it had been a "pleasure" to welcome the team.

He added: "The visit gave me a small chance to thank the team for everything they do – we should be really proud to have them in our local hospital."