Published on: 22 October 2026
Six remarkable colleagues were recognised in the Lifetime Achievement category at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s HEARTS Awards 2026, celebrating a combined contribution of more than 250 years to the NHS.
The HEARTS Awards celebrate colleagues, teams and partners who embody Derbyshire Healthcare’s values and make an exceptional contribution to the people and communities the Trust serves.
The Lifetime Achievement category recognises colleagues with more than 40 years of service who have dedicated their careers to supporting patients, families and colleagues while consistently reflecting the Trust’s values.
Lesley Newton Griffiths, Health Protection Unit and Physical Health Hub
Lesley was honoured for more than 50 years of NHS service, from nursing and school health to vaccination programmes and her work in the Health Protection Unit.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she supported the Trust’s vaccine hospital hub and played a leading role in coordinating immunisation activity. Throughout her career, Lesley has combined clinical leadership with a commitment to treating people as she would wish to be treated herself. A colleague said: “She brings kindness, integrity and professionalism to everything she does.”
Audrey Williamson, Clinical Research Team
Audrey was recognised for more than 40 years of service spanning forensic care, community mental health, outreach and clinical research. Throughout her career, she has championed person-centred care, particularly for vulnerable and under-represented people and those who can be difficult to engage with services.
In clinical research, Audrey has enabled patients to take part in studies and trials, helping ensure their experiences contribute to future mental health treatments and improvements in care. Her colleagues praised her positivity, kindness and support for generations of colleagues, adding: “Audrey’s calm and reassuring presence has brought comfort to patients and confidence to colleagues.”
David Hackett, Psychiatry Teaching Unit
David was recognised for more than 40 years of NHS service across crisis teams, inpatient wards, community nursing, mental health law and medical education.
Drawing on his extensive clinical expertise, David has helped shape medical education and curricula while championing the importance of lived experience in the training of future doctors. For more than 15 years, he has supported learners to understand the person behind the diagnosis and the importance of compassionate, person-centred care. A colleague recognised that: “He has shaped services, influenced curricula, supported colleagues and championed lived experience.”
Helena Goodwin, Central Chesterfield Community Mental Health Team – Outpatients
Helena was celebrated for 40 years of dedicated service supporting community mental health services in Chesterfield.
Her professionalism, loyalty and sustained contribution have made a lasting difference to colleagues and the people supported by the service. Helena’s colleagues pointed out not only the length of her NHS career but also the quality of her contribution and the relationships she has built, stating: “Her dedication over 40 years is a remarkable achievement.”
Kulbeer Basran, Specialist Memory Assessment and Dementia Support Service
Kulbeer, who is known as Cindy, was recognised for more than four decades of compassionate mental health care across inpatient, community, outreach, memory assessment and day services.
Beginning her NHS career in 1980, Cindy has worked in a wide range of roles and qualified as a registered mental health nurse in 2008. She has also used her language skills to improve access, communication and culturally sensitive support for patients and families. Cindy’s colleague said: “She models compassion, respect, inclusion, reliability and dedication.”
Susan Coxon, Domestic Services
Susan was recognised for more than 44 years of dedicated service in Domestic Services.
Her long-standing contribution has helped maintain safe, clean and welcoming environments for patients, visitors and colleagues across the Trust. Her nomination celebrated “more than four decades of dedicated service to the Trust.”
At the awards ceremony, the Trust paid tribute to all six colleagues for the extraordinary commitment, compassion and professionalism they have shown throughout their careers.
Selina Ullah, Chair of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Lifetime Achievement category recognises colleagues who have dedicated more than 40 years of their careers to the NHS. This year, we were proud to recognise six remarkable colleagues whose commitment, compassion and service have made a lasting difference to patients, families and colleagues across our Trust.
“Rather than selecting one winner, we chose to honour all six nominees. Audrey, David, Helena, Kulbeer, Lesley and Susan have each achieved so much within their respective areas and thoroughly deserve recognition for their outstanding contributions. Thank you to each of them for their extraordinary service and for the many years they have spent living our Trust values. Their dedication represents the very best of the NHS.”
