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From those starting out on their healthcare career path to others who have given a lifetime of dedication to the NHS - awards to these and other outstanding hospital staff will be announced next month.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is preparing for its biggest event of the year - the Outstanding Achievement Awards 2026 - where staff and volunteers from across our local hospitals will be recognised in a number of categories.

As well as the coveted Individual and Team awards, the Trust will again be honouring colleagues whose important work is not always publicly seen, or those who work in partnership with other agencies to deliver excellent care to patients in healthcare settings in the community.

Categories will include:

-       Rising Star Award which recognises an exceptional student, trainee, apprentice or someone in a development role (clinical or non-clinical). Our 2025 winner was Chantelle Burger who rapidly qualified as a Sterile Services Manager in half the expected time and was instrumental in the department achieving a successful external audit.

 

-       Partnership Award which recognises the team or individual working collaboratively with external partners to improve services. The High Impact Use (HIU) Service provides innovative, approachable and collaborative service across the Trust, the Integrated Care Board, social care, council and other external partners. As the winner of the award last year, it was praised for its patient-focussed work in working with them to try and avoid frequent attendances at our Emergency Departments and other urgent and emergency care services.

 

 

-       Quality Improvement Award  which recognises an outstanding commitment to quality improvement and innovation, which has resulted in measurable benefits for our patients, service users and/or staff. NHS England funding secured by children and young adult clinical lead for diabetes Nicola Dawson led to the permanent employment of two team members to improve technology uptake in diabetes in diverse and deprived areas. They have doubled the uptake in CGM and pumps in this population - worthy winners of the 2025 award.

 

-       Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare Award. Our 2025 winner Rosie Collcott has over 40 years of dedication and compassionate service to the NHS, starting as a cadet nurse in the 1970s. Her true passion for nursing blossomed at the Robert Horrell Day Centre, where she supported cancer and palliative care patients, later leading the lymphoedema service. Rosie expanded services with outreach clinics and a patient support group, actively promoting education to enhance patient experience and outcomes.

 

 

The Trust is currently finalising details of the ceremony at Peterborough Cathedral in July - which will again be hosted by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann - and is working with a number of sponsors whose generous support will meet the cost of the evening.

Around 300 members of staff and guests attended last year's awards. This year's winners will be announced on the evening.