| 17 June 2026
The winners of the tenth Our Health Heroes Awards were unveiled on Wednesday 17 June at a spectacular ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.
Backed by NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services, Motorfinity, NHS Race & Health Observatory, iCQ Awards, SFJ Awards and media partner Healthcare Management, the awards champion the people who keep healthcare services functioning every day, often behind the scenes.
Spanning roles such as portering, facilities, administrations, estates and security, this workforce forms a significant proportion of the NHS and wider health system. Their work is essential, yet too often goes unrecognised. Our Health Heroes exists to change that, celebrating the skill, commitment and quiet resilience of those who ensure patients receive safe, effective care at every step of their journey.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Individual categories
Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by SFJ Awards
- Gemma Longhurst – East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust GOLD
- Ethan Marshall – Practice Plus Group (HMP Featherstone) SILVER
- Kathryn Robinson – Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust BRONZE
Clinical Support Worker
- Gnai Kareema Mathias – University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust GOLD
- Chloe Wallingford – Modality Partnership SILVER
- Alexander Wheeler – Claire House Children’s Hospice BRONZE
Healthcare Manager of the Year
- Jeremias Sion – Baking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust GOLD
- Rianna Wallis – Dewerstone Medical Group SILVER
- Fiona Micheli – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust BRONZE
Healthcare Volunteer of the Year
- Tony Galley – Modality Partnership GOLD
- Tony Kelly – Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust SILVER
- David Layfield – North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust BRONZE
Operational Support Worker of the Year
- Kerry Haughian – Southern Health and Social Care Trust GOLD
- Kim Ashcroft – Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management SILVER
- Chloe McCamphill – Nottingham University NHS Foundation Trust BRONZE
Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare – sponsored by NHS Employers
- Nyree Gledhill – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust GOLD
- Susan Cook – Surrey Downs Health & Care SILVER
- Mary Teresa Mackle – Southern Health and Social Care Trust BRONZE
Team categories
Best Healthcare Workforce Collaboration
- West Kent Health and Care Partnership WINNER
- Staffordshire General Practice Nursing Foundation School (Staffordshire Training Hub) HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dedication to a Lifelong Learning Culture – sponsored by iCQ Awards
- Halima Chowe Wilfred Deley Sapna Subhash – NHS England WINNER
- Greater Manchester Cancer Academy – Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance HIGHLY COMMENDED
Digital Innovation Award – sponsored by NHS Shared Business Services
- Greater Manchester Cancer Academy – Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance WINNER
- Learning and Digital Team – Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust HIGHLY COMMENDED
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion
- Gina Barr – Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust WINNER
- AVERTS Team – Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust HIGHLY COMMENDED
Honorary Health Hero Award
This year, we also introduced a special award to mark a decade of celebrating the incredible people who shape the UK’s healthcare workforce: the Honorary Health Hero Award.
Presented by Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, this award recognises an individual whose leadership, advocacy and long-standing commitment have made a profound impact on the sector.
We delighted to name Rt Hon Alan Milburn the inaugural recipient – a testament to his enduring contribution to improving public healthcare in the UK.