Published on: 19 October 2026
In the run-up to Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Honouring Exceptional and Really Terrific Staff (HEARTS) Awards 2026, the Trust will be spotlighting an inspiring person, team or service from each award category whose work is making a positive difference.
This spotlight recognises Dr Madeleine Bonney-Helliwell, Consultant Psychiatrist in Perinatal Mental Health for North Derbyshire and Clinical Director for Specialist Services, who has been nominated in the Inclusive Leader Award category for her compassionate, thoughtful and dedicated leadership.
Over the past year, Madeleine has taken on the role of Clinical Director for Specialist Services. Her nomination, submitted by a colleague, describes how she has approached complex responsibilities and difficult conversations with empathy, wisdom and a clear commitment to helping colleagues feel valued and included.
Madeleine is recognised for focusing on people’s strengths and working creatively to help colleagues continue to contribute and develop. She takes time to understand individual circumstances, approaches sensitive conversations with care and looks for practical, person-centred solutions.
Her honesty and willingness to learn are also central to her leadership. When she does not immediately know an answer, she is open about this, takes time to find the right information and follows up. This approach has helped build trust across the diverse specialist teams she leads.
Madeleine is also praised for being prepared to challenge practices that are not working effectively or do not align with the Trust’s values. Her ability to build meaningful relationships across teams with different roles, priorities and working patterns has earned the respect of colleagues and helped create a more supportive and inclusive working environment.
Hayley Griffin, Consultant Neurodisability Paediatrician in Community Paediatrics, who nominated Madeleine, said: “Madeleine has taken on an extremely difficult new role with compassion, wisdom and true dedication. She focuses on people’s skills and what they can contribute, approaches difficult conversations with empathy, and builds meaningful relationships across a diverse group of teams. Her values and readiness to challenge things that are not working make her a truly outstanding leader.”
Madeleine’s story reflects the purpose of the Inclusive Leader Award, which recognises colleagues who show care and compassion, value inclusion and diversity, and create a genuine sense of belonging.
Further HEARTS Awards 2026 spotlights will be shared in the lead-up to the awards, celebrating individuals and teams across each category who embody the Trust’s values and make a difference to the people and communities they support.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony on 21 October. The awards are being sponsored by Arden Partnership, Browne Jacobson, Hill Dickinson, LIO, Patchwork Health and Thalamos.
