NNUH Staff Award finalists revealed

Teams and colleagues from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) will be celebrated at the Trust’s annual Staff Awards ceremony in November.

The Staff Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank the teams and individuals who have shown exceptional patient care, innovation, leadership and teamwork. This year, we are delighted that nominations were open to members of Serco staff who provide services at the hospital including portering, catering and housekeeping and are much valued members of our teams.

Patients and visitors also submitted nominations for our individual and team Patient Choice awards, which honour those who have provided exceptional patient care, kindness or outstanding professional expertise. The hospital received over 300 nominations from members of the public and a record-breaking 1,099 submissions across 18 categories.

Dr Shane Gordon, Executive Managing Director for NNUH, said: “It has been humbling to hear so many moving stories, from not only colleagues across the Trust, but from patients and their loved ones which describe the outstanding care, compassion and professionalism shown every day in our hospitals.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination and share their experiences.

“I’d like to congratulate all of our nominees and the finalists announced today. Being nominated is an achievement in itself, and we look forward to recognising and celebrating the contributions of our amazing finalists at our Awards ceremony in November.”

The Staff Awards are kind supported by Serco and Octagon Healthcare, plus the N&N Hospitals Charity who sponsor three Awards.

The 2026 finalists, by category, are:

Leadership Award

• Carlos Almeida, CT Radiographer
• Christopher Atkins, Service Director and Consultant, Respiratory Medicine

Unsung Hero – Clinical Award

• Joanne Dack, HCA, Trauma and Orthopaedics
• Charlotte Eggleston, STR, Older Peoples Medicine

Unsung Hero Award – Non-Clinical

• Julia Alison, Career Development Advisor
• Katherine Everitt, Ward Clerk, Intwood Ward

Clinical Teacher of the Year Award

• Justine Williams, Clinical Educator, Palliative Care
• Unplanned Care, Clinical Education Team

Research & Innovation Award, sponsored by the N&N Hospitals Charity

• Dr Pankaj Garg / 4DLab
• Orthopaedic Research Team

Rising Star Award

• Navin Chandran, Senior Clinical Fellow, Respiratory Medicine
• Natasha Marlin, Assistant Practitioner, Radiology

Volunteer of the Year

• Susan Beevor, Boudicca Breast Unit
• Tina Smith, Paediatrics

Volunteer Team of the Year

• Acute Oncology and Haematology Service (AOHS) Volunteers
• Volunteer Drivers

Patient Choice Individual Award

• Lynsey Taylor, Gynaecology Oncology Specialist Nurse, Cley Ward
• Tara Webster, Adult Acute Liaison Nurse Learning Disabilities, Complex Health Hub

Patient Choice Team Award

• Bereavement Midwives
• Cley Ward Team Gynaecology

Edith Cavell Award

• Deborah Holder, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Facilitator

Exceptional Quality of Care Award

• Sangeet Gangadharan, Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Virtual Ward Team

Working Together Award

• NNUH Mental Health, Complex Health Hub
• Mobile Community X-ray Car Team, Plain Film, Radiology & Transformation Team

Diversity Award

• Sophie Slater, Patient Engagement and Experience Facilitator
• Nmesoma Ukaji, MRI Radiographer

N&N Hospitals Charity Champion Staff Award

• Alex Allen, Clinical Lead for Perioperative Theatre Equipment and Robotic Surgery

• Coral Drane – Education Team
• Linda Gill – Cromer Renal
• Cardiology Cath Labs

Team of the Year Award – Clinical, sponsored by the N&N Hospitals Charity

• Cringleford Orthopaedics
• Respiratory Sleep Service

Team of the Year Award – Non-Clinical, sponsored by the N&N Hospitals Charity

• Apprenticeships and Career Development Team
• Urology Admin Team

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Beverley Hymas, Physiotherapy Assistant
• Michelle Lloyd Smith, Staff Nurse
• Anita Martins, Matron Cromer Hospital