2026 Our Health Heroes finalists revealed

Finalists for the 10th anniversary edition of Skills for Health’s Our Health Heroes have been revealed.

From hundreds of nominations, 26 individuals and teams from across the UK have been shortlisted for the prestigious awards.

Across 10 different categories, recognising the outstanding achievements of the wider healthcare workforce, this year’s winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held on 17 June.

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by SFJ Awards

• Gemma Longhurst — East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Ethan Marshall — Practice Plus Group (HMP Featherstone)
• Kathryn Robinson — Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Best Workforce Collaboration

• Staffordshire General Practice Nursing Foundation School (Staffordshire Training Hub)
• West Kent Health and Care Partnership

Clinical Support Worker of the Year

• Gnai Kareema Mathias — University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Chloe Wallingford — Modality Partnership
• Alexander Wheeler — Claire House Children’s Hospice

Dedication to Lifelong Learning Culture

• Halima Chowe, Wilfred Deley and Sapna Subhash — NHS England
• Greater Manchester Cancer Academy — Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance

Digital Innovation, sponsored by NHS Shared Business Services

• Greater Manchester Cancer Academy —Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
• Learning and Digital Team — Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

• Gina Barr — Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Sam Howes — Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Manager of the Year

• Fiona Micheli — Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
• Jeremias Sion — Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Rianna Wallis — Dewerstone Medical Group

Healthcare Volunteer of the Year

• Tony Galley — Modality Partnership
• Tony Kelly — Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• David Layfield — North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Operational Support Worker of the Year

• Kim Ashcroft — Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management
• Kerry Haughian — Southern Health and Social Care Trust
• Chloe McCamphill — Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Outstanding Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by NHS Employers

• Susan Cook — Surrey Downs Health & Care
• Nyree Gledhill — Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
• Teresa Mackle — Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Our Health Heroes 2026 is proudly sponsored and supported by NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services, Motorfinity, NHS Race & Health Observatory, iCQ Awards, SFJ Awards and media partner Healthcare Management.

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