Published on: 21 October 2026
Exceptional colleagues, teams and services have been recognised at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s 2026 HEARTS (Honouring Exceptional and Really Terrific Staff) Awards – including a team that supports around 360 acute dementia diagnoses each year at Royal Derby Hospital and an Occupational Therapy Assistant using her international badminton skills to help her patients’ recovery.
The HEARTS Awards - Honouring Exceptional and Really Terrific Staff - celebrate individuals and teams who embody the Trust’s values and make a positive difference to patients, families, carers, colleagues and communities.
The winners were announced at a special ceremony at Makeney Hall Hotel in Belper on Wednesday 21 October, chosen from a total of 170 nominations which had been submitted by colleagues, carers, service users, partner organisations and members of the public.
All nominations were considered by a judging panel made up of Selina Ullah, Trust Chair; Mark Powell, Chief Executive; Rebecca Oakley, Director of People, Organisational Development and Inclusion; Ralph Knibbs, Non-Executive Director; and Tony Doleman, Carer Representative.
The 2026 winners were:
Clinical Team of the Year Award
Winner: Specialist Memory Assessment and Dementia Support Service
The team stood out for maintaining high standards of compassionate, patient-centred care during a period of major service transformation. The service brought memory assessment and specialist day services together, welcomed new colleagues from northern Derbyshire and reduced waiting times while maintaining the local dementia diagnosis rate.
The judges were also impressed by the team’s commitment to research and innovation, including its involvement in the national ADAPT study, which is exploring the use of a blood test to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Non-Clinical Team of the Year Award
Winner: Derwent Unit and Radbourne Unit Reception Teams
The reception teams at two of our inpatient units were recognised for the vital contribution they make to the day-to-day running of services and for their work on the Trust’s new taxi booking platform and revised Taxi Usage Policy.
The teams tested the platform using real-life booking scenarios, identified improvements and helped shape workflows before the system was introduced across the Trust. Their contribution has supported stronger governance, improved financial oversight and led to a more consistent booking process for staff and patients.
Making a Positive Difference Award – sponsored by LIO
Winner: Megan, Occupational Therapy, Kingfisher House
Megan was recognised for establishing an occupational therapy service from the ground up at the Trust’s new psychiatric intensive care unit, Kingfisher House during the unit’s first year.
Megan developed a model of engagement for people experiencing severe mental ill health, introduced activities and sensory approaches tailored to individual needs and helped embed occupational therapy within the wider ward team. Her work has supported patients to engage in meaningful activity, build confidence and make progress towards recovery.
Patient Focus Award – sponsored by Hill Dickinson
Winner: Infant Feeding Team and 0-5 Health Visiting Teams
The teams were recognised for successfully achieving UNICEF Baby Friendly reaccreditation under new standards, scoring above the expected level in every area.
The assessment highlighted the teams’ knowledgeable workforce, strong partnership working and commitment to meeting the needs of local families. Feedback showed that 94% of mothers were very happy with the support they received around infant feeding and relationship building.
Productivity, Sustainability and Innovation Award – sponsored by Patchwork
Winner: Mental Health Liaison Team
The Mental Health Liaison Team was recognised for developing the Liaison Assessment of Dementia quality improvement programme in response to growing demand for dementia assessment within acute hospitals.
The team created a consistent framework for assessment and post-diagnostic care, increased nurse-led assessments and improved the provision of written information and referrals for further support. The service now supports around 360 acute dementia diagnoses each year and has helped improve patient flow, discharge planning and access to timely support without requiring additional commissioned resources.
Partnership and Collaboration Award – sponsored by Thalamos
Winner: Psychiatry Teaching Unit
The Psychiatry Teaching Unit stood out in this category for placing lived experience and community partnership at the heart of medical education.
Through partnerships with community organisations, the team established three Health Hubs where medical students learn alongside local people and deliver mental health and wellbeing sessions. The team has also developed its Expert Patient Clinic and Expert Patient Toolkit, ensuring people with lived experience play an active role in shaping the learning of future doctors.
Outstanding Care and Compassion Award – sponsored by Arden Partnership
Winner: Augustina Sunday, Cherry Tree Close
Augustina was recognised for the warmth, creativity and compassion she brings to her work with service users at Cherry Tree Close.
A standout example was a badminton tournament she developed in response to feedback from service users. Drawing on her experience of representing Nigeria in international badminton, Augustina coached participants and helped them build skills, confidence and motivation. The event supported physical health, teamwork, social connection and recovery while giving service users a shared goal and a memorable sense of achievement.
Rising Star Award – sponsored by Browne Jacobson
Winner: Niamh Kerry, Inpatient Dietetics Team
Niamh, a Dietetic Assistant and Degree Apprentice, was recognised for her resilience, compassion, initiative and leadership.
Her work has included supporting patients at risk of malnutrition, helping to develop a healthy lifestyle group for forensic mental health inpatients, delivering healthy eating and cooking skills groups and training colleagues in the use of the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool. She has also contributed to quality improvement audits, patient resources and a Trust-wide Dietitians Week campaign.
Inclusive Leader Award
Winner: Emelie Anekwu, Mental Health Physiotherapy Team – Bluebell Ward and Derwent Unit
Emelie was recognised for creating a supportive and inclusive environment for colleagues and patients while actively championing diversity.
His nomination highlighted the time he gives to colleagues despite a demanding workload, his ability to make people feel heard and valued and his work to amplify under-represented voices. He has also shared learning through professional networks and national events, helping to promote inclusion and positive change beyond his immediate team.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winners: Audrey Williamson, Clinical Research Team; David Hackett, Psychiatry Teaching Unit; Helena Goodwin, Central Chesterfield Community Mental Health Team - Outpatients; Kulbeer Basran, Specialist Memory Assessment and Dementia Support Service; Lesley Newton Griffiths, Health Protection Unit and Physical Health Hub; and Susan Coxon, Domestic Services.
Rather than selecting one winner, the judges chose to honour all six Lifetime Achievement nominees.
Together, they represent more than 250 years of NHS service across nursing, mental health care, research, education, community services, health protection and domestic services.
Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The HEARTS Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the compassion, commitment, innovation and teamwork shown by colleagues and partners across Derbyshire Healthcare.
“Every nomination reflected the positive difference people are making to patients, families, carers, colleagues and communities. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists and thank you to everyone who took the time to recognise their contribution.
“I would also like to thank our sponsors for supporting this year’s awards and helping us give our exceptional colleagues and teams the recognition they deserve.”
The ceremony was supported by Patchwork, a healthcare workforce technology provider; Thalamos, which develops digital technology for Mental Health Act processes and crisis care; Browne Jacobson and Hill Dickinson, law firms who specialise in health and social care; LIO, a mental health technology company focused on improving safety and care in inpatient settings; and Arden Partnership, which supports healthcare organisations and services.
A list of award presenters:
- Patient Focus - Amy Millson, Hill Dickinson
- Inclusive Leader - Tony Doleman, Carer Representative at Derbyshire Healthcare
- Productivity, Sustainability and Innovation - Omar Bhakri, Patchwork
- Clinical Team of the Year - Vikki Ashton Taylor, Derbyshire Healthcare
- Making a Positive Difference - Karen West, LIO
- Non-Clinical Team of the Year - Ralph Knibbs, Derbyshire Healthcare
- Partnership and Collaboration - Zoe Seager, Thalamos
- Rising Star - Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Browne Jacobson
- Outstanding Care and Compassion - Cheryl Ward, Arden Partnership
- Lifetime Achievement - Selina Ullah, Derbyshire Healthcare
