2025 Our Health Heroes Awards winners announced 

The winners of the ninth annual Our Health Heroes Awards were revealed yesterday (22 May) at a dazzling awards ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.  

Supported by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services, NHS Race & Health Observatory, SFJ Awards and Integrated Care Journal, Our Health Heroes Awards honour the vital contributions of the broader healthcare workforce that supports our doctors and nurses on the frontline.

From porters and cleaners to reception staff, gardeners, and security teams, these often-overlooked professionals represent around 40% of the NHS’s workforce. This national awards programme shines a spotlight on their dedication and gives the recognition they so richly deserve for helping keep our health service running smoothly.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Individual categories:

Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare, sponsored by NHS Employers:

• Pauline Taylor, Children’s Complex Care Quality Assurance Nurse, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Gold)
• Caroline Dowsett, Clinical Nurse Specialist, East London Foundation Trust (Silver)
• Vedantee Shiebert, CAMHS Lead Nurse, Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust (Bronze)

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by SFJ Awards:

• Olivia Parsons, Clinic Manager, Beacon House (Gold)
• Tim Muttock, Business Administration Apprentice, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Silver)
• Nasser Mohammed, Service Desk Supervisor/Developer, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Bronze)

Operational Support Worker of the Year, sponsored by iCQ Awards:

• Hayley Pedwell, Information Assistant, Macmillan Cancer Care (Gold)
• Lois Ward, Communications and Engagement Officer, Chesterfield Royal Hospital (Silver)
• Brian Taylor, Ambulance Welfare Officer, North East Ambulance Service Unified Solutions (Bronze)

Clinical Support Worker of the Year:

• Sarah Haynes, Healthcare Assistant, Modality Partnership (Gold)
• Sam Desborough, Assistant Practitioner Occupational Therapist, Southwark Council (Silver)
• Lynette Cook, Ward Coordinator, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (Bronze)

Healthcare Volunteer of the Year:

• David White, Patient Befriender Volunteer, Cardiff and Vale Health Board (Gold)
• Chris Wilson, Volunteer Community First Responder, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (Silver)
• Andy Emery, Transport Volunteer, Royal Voluntary Service (Bronze)

Team categories:

Best Healthcare Workforce Collaboration, supported by Integrated Care Journal:

• Personalised Independence Programme, Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable (Winner)
• The What Matters Team, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (Highly commended)

Dedication to Lifelong Learning Culture:

• Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub (Winner)
• Patford House Partnership (Highly commended)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion, supported by NHS Race and Health Observatory:

• Mohammed Ramzan, West Midlands Ambulance Service (Winner)
• Wakefield Hospice (Highly commended)

Digital Innovation, sponsored by NHS Shared Business Services:

• Recruitment RPA Project Team, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (Winner)
• Paediatric Virtual Ward Team, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Highly commended)