Individuals, teams, and community partners who go above and beyond for Sherwood Forest Hospitals were celebrated at the trust’s 2024 Excellence Awards ceremony.

More than 500 nominations were received for staff working in clinical and non-clinical roles across the trust’s King’s Mill, Newark, and Mansfield Community hospital sites.

The awards, which took place at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme, were funded entirely by charitable donations, funding and support from Sherwood Forest Hospitals Charity and corporate sponsors Kier, Managed Healthcare, and Mills & Reeve, which sponsored the drinks reception.

The big accolade was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which highlights those who have made significant career and lifetime contributions to the trust. Dr Elizabeth Carlin, Sexual Health service director was the winner.

A longstanding supporter of the trust, Elizabeth was appointed to the role in 2012 and has since led a successful bid for the trust, alongside Nottingham University Hospitals, to provide high-quality sexual health services for all Nottinghamshire.

“I am absolutely overwhelmed,” said Elizabeth (pictured above with trust acting chair Graham Ward (left) and acting chief executive Dave Selwyn). “I didn’t expect it. It’s been a privilege to do this job for so many years and I’d like to acknowledge the fabulous team around me.”

The Midwifery Bereavement Team won the People’s Award, which receives nominations from the public. Team members Louise Heath and Amy Dewar (pictured above) were commended for the support groups they run for bereaved families, and for organising memorial services three times a year for families who have been under their care.

The nomination highlighted the care and compassion they gave to a family who experienced the loss of a child.” Louise and Amy said: “We never expected this award, it’s such a huge honour.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Mealtime Volunteers (above). They were nominated for dedicating their own time to supporting patients with their nutritional and hydration needs.

The Step into the NHS team, which has been instrumental in recruiting learners from the local community into roles within the trust, received the Chair’s Award.

A new addition for 2024 was the Chief Executive’s CARE Award, which was presented to Paula Shore, director of Midwifery and divisional director of Nursing for Women’s and Children’s.

Paula (above) was chosen for epitomising the trust’s CARE values — from inspiring others in how she communicates and works with colleagues and partners, to always aspiring and improving, and remaining respectful and caring in the toughest circumstances to ensure services remain efficient and safe.

“While it is so kind and an honour to be acknowledged individually, I have to thank the wider teams that I work with daily to ensure I can be the best within mine,” she said.

Other winners were:

Multidisciplinary Team of the Year – Young Adult Diabetes Service; Most Improved Team – Chatsworth Ward, Mansfield Community Hospital; Chris McFarlane – Beth Isle, Radiology team; Rising Star – Dr Laura Pugh, Geriatrics team; Non-Clinical Team of the Year – Newark Hospital Security team; Non-Clinical Individual of the Year – Maria Vernon, Chaplaincy team; Nursing, Midwifery & AHP Team – Lotus Team; Nursing, Midwifery & AHP Individual – Kimberley Whysall, Respiratory Medicine team; Doctor and Consultant Team – Acute Paediatrics; Doctor and Consultant Individual – Dr Kashif Hussain, Emergency Department team; Specialist Healthcare Team – Pharmacy Team; Specialist Healthcare Individual – Alison Barnett, Cardiovascular team; Outstanding contributions to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Jacqueline Wix for her work with DFN Project Search; Community Hero – Angela McCreadie and Wendy Broughton, Breast and Balls; Community Partner of the Year – Grant Roberts, Nottingham Road Clinic.