Award categories 

Great Patient Experience and Involvement Award – Community

This award is open for patient and public nominations only, and will be awarded to a team or individual that has made a significant impact upon improving the patient experience for an individual patient or patient area, within a community setting, and/or involved patients within the process of improving the care we deliver to patients. 

Great Patient Experience and Involvement Award – Acute

This award is open for patient and public nominations only, and will be awarded to a team or individual that has made a significant impact upon improving the patient experience for an individual patient or patient area, within a hospital setting, and/or involved patients within the process of improving the care we deliver to patients.

Chair’s Award

This award will be chosen by the Chair from submitted nominations. This award is for an individual or team that shows a genuine concern and compassion for others, is interested in others and in helping to meet their needs and providing the best possible quality of care. 

Team of the Year – Clinical

This award recognises a clinical team who consistently demonstrate good team working, to deliver an efficient and high performing service. They will be a clinical team who consistently demonstrate good team working, to deliver an efficient and high performing service. They have successfully implemented change and/or improved services for the benefit of their patients, taking into account the quality and safety of the care they provide.

Team of the Year- Non-Clinical

This award recognises a non-clinical team who consistently demonstrate good team working, to deliver an efficient and high performing service. They will be a non-clinical team who consistently demonstrate good team working, to deliver an efficient and high performing service. They have successfully implemented change and/or improved services. This could include developing new ways of working and shared learning.

Innovation, Education and Research Award

A team or individual who has developed or undertaken service or quality improvements, introduced innovative ways of working, or implemented changes that deliver measurable benefits. This may include making efficiency or sustainability improvements, conducting research, leading education or training initiatives, or developing new approaches that enhance patient care, support departmental goals, or contribute to the wider Group.

Collaboration Award

This award recognises individuals, teams or pieces of work that demonstrate genuine collaboration and partnership working for the benefit of patients. This could be in working across teams or organisations to deliver greater efficiency and developing patient-centered services.

Rising Star Award

This award will go to someone who has been within their organisation, team or job role for less than a year, but in that time has really made an impact. This might be through supporting colleagues, displaying excellent patient care, developing a service or innovating for the benefit of staff and patients.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year Award

This award recognises an individual or team that has been a champion of diversity and inclusion in ant part of the Group, with actions that have positively impacted upon colleagues and the organisation as a whole. This could include a broad range of actions to promote, further and develop awareness and understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues, and tackling discrimination in any form. 

Unsung Hero Award – Clinical

This award will celebrate an individual or team in working in a clinical area, that goes above and beyond to help the Group deliver its objectives and values and make a genuine difference to others. They will be people who bring about change and clear benefits for patients, their colleagues and the Group as a whole.

Unsung Hero Award – Non-Clinical

This award will celebrate an individual or team working in a non-clinical area that goes above and beyond to help the Group deliver its objectives and values and make a genuine difference to others. They will be people who bring about change and clear benefits for patients, their colleagues, our clinical services and the Group as a whole.

Outstanding Leader Award

This award recognises someone with outstanding leadership skills who inspires people to go the extra mile with our  services. Good leaders are not necessarily managers – This is for anyone at any level can be a leader and make a difference. They are innovative and value their peers while actively mentoring and encouraging people they work with.

Volunteer of the Year Award

This award recognises a volunteer or voluntary team who work tirelessly and generously give their free time, enthusiasm and energy to help improve NHS services, facilities and support for patients, visitors and their families.

Values in Action Award

This new award shines a spotlight on colleagues who truly bring our values to life in their everyday work.

From 1 October 2025, every Values in Action certificate submitted will automatically be considered for long-listing.

Chief Executive’s Award

Nominations will not be taken for this award. The winner will be chosen by the Trust Chief Executive to recognise a member of staff or team that deserves public recognition of their achievements over the last year.