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Our 2025 UHN Excellence Awards were sponsored by SmartCo Future Health
The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) Excellence Awards recognise individuals and teams who positively impact patient care and hospital operations, whether they work, volunteer, or fundraise. They shine a light on someone special. Whether it’s a University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) colleague, team, volunteer or fundraiser. And celebrating those who has gone the extra mile and made a real difference for patients or colleagues.
We recently rolled out the red carpet for an evening of pride and inspiration at its 2025 annual Excellence Awards at the Mercure Hotel in Northampton. Sponsored by Smart Co Future Health, this glittering event celebrated the remarkable staff, volunteers, and fundraisers from Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Over 450 nominations were received, sharing experiences of extraordinary care, innovation, and generosity, but it was the winners who were recognised for making a lasting difference in the lives of patients, their loved ones and colleagues.
Thank you to our headline sponsor SmartCo Future Health, the Northamptonshire Health Charity for their continued support for the event, to Multiverse for sponsoring our Research, Innovation and Improvement award and to Mercure Northampton for sponsoring our UHN Shining Star (Non-Clinical Individual) category.
Thank you also to Nervecentre, Video Inn, RB Travel, PicMe Photobooth and RLS Print and Design for sponsoring our awards.
Our winners:
Ken Westall winner of the Northamptonshire Health Charity Fundraiser of the Year Award 2025
His nomination reads: An outstanding volunteer, dedicating his time, energy, and passion to supporting UHN and the charity. He actively promotes the charity at events and on various platforms, sharing its mission and inspiring others to get involved. Ken embodies compassion and inclusivity in his volunteer work. His ability to connect with diverse groups and promote the charity’s mission in an engaging and accessible way reflects his dedication to equality.
Emma Murray winner of the UHN Compassionate Colleague Award
Her nomination reads: Emma is the absolute best team player. She speaks on behalf of the patients to make sure they get the best possible care and will escalate accordingly. She’s also gone out the way to buy patients items such an inflatable hair wash bowls, she takes the time to untangle and condition hair, braid it as well as cutting nails and giving mini spas. She never asks for anything back, just that the patients are well presented and sat out ready for when they have visitors.
ICU Research Team winner of the UHN Research, Innovation, and Improvement Award 2025 sponsored by Multiverse
Their nomination reads: The ICU Research team are committed to advancing critical care through active participation and leadership in numerous high-impact clinical trials. Beyond trial participation, the ICU Research Team fosters a culture of research among staff and patients, ensuring ethical recruitment, patient-centred care, and meticulous data collection. Their work strengthens the bridge between clinical care and research, benefiting current and future ICU patients.
Raji Rajan Joseph winner of the UHN Patient Choice Award 2025 KGH
Her nomination reads: I was in Paediatric ED with my younger son, needing an admission. We were waiting for a bed and Raji called the bed manager, she acted swiftly and made all the arrangements. She came to me and sat down and said: ‘We are here for you’. She took me to the vending machine for my elder son’s crisps, but it was broken. She and her colleague later came to Skylark ward with crisps and Maltesers which my son likes. She is such a kind person who has a kind heart and needs the best recognition in the world.
Bereavement Midwives and Support Workers winner of the UHN Patient Choice Award 2025 NGH
Their nomination reads: I am nominating this team due to their exceptional care during our stay in hospital, after our daughter was stillborn. We were never pressured to make any immediate decisions, we were given options of care, expert knowledge, and respected to make our own decisions about the care we received as a family. We knew we would be supported fully by this team. During such shock and heartbreak it is impossible to know what you need, but this team helped us to make treasured memories with our daughter before leaving the hospital without her. The team bought us comfort when we needed it most, and we felt confident in their advice and guidance on how to navigate the world of baby loss. They are currently supporting us through our rainbow pregnancy which we could not do without their empathy and expertise.
Farhana Ahmedabadi-Patel winner of the UHN Shining Star (Non-Clinical Individual) Award 2025 sponsored by Mercure Northampton
Her nomination reads: Her leadership has transformed equity, diversity, and inclusion at UHN into measurable change. She led the Rethinking Racism Education Programme, embedding inclusion into recruitment, staff networks, professional development, and leadership. Farhana champions REACH colleagues through career coaching, mentoring, and advocacy, supporting progression and empowerment. Her work has improved belonging and respect scores, increased diversity in recruitment, and boosted engagement in EDI initiatives.
Katy McCrossan winner of the UHN Shining Star (Clinical Individual) Award
Her nomination reads: Katy has transformed and enabled development in our small specialist cancer nursing team with her warmth, dedication, integrity and skills. Frequently the first contact for patients, she is often their anchor in moments of fear and uncertainty. Feedback from patients and colleagues is consistently glowing, describing how her calm presence and compassion make them feel safe and respected. She listens without limit, offering reassurance when patients feel isolated, and gives tireless support to all colleagues.
Electronic Patient Record Team winner of the UHN Non-Clinical Stars Team Award 2025 sponsored by SmartCo Future Health
Their nomination reads: Over three years, they worked tirelessly from conception of a new EPR to engaging 150+ clinical, operational, and digital colleagues in procurement, through to mobilising 200 staff for the successful go-live of Nervecentre. They showed outstanding collaboration across clinical and non-clinical areas, training staff, resolving issues, and supporting colleagues through change. Their dedication ensured continuity of care and a positive experience for patients and staff alike.
Pneumonia Specialist Team winner of the UHN Clinical Stars Team Award 2025
Their nomination reads: Their work has led to a two-day reduction in average length of stay, an 18% reduction in readmission rates, and a 20% reduction in mortality compared to the national average. These outcomes are complemented by consistently high patient satisfaction scores, reflecting the team’s dedication to both quality and kindness. They established a pneumonia virtual ward improving continuity of care and supporting earlier, safer discharges.
Joyce Crowther winner of the UHN Star Volunteer of the Year Award
Her nomination reads: Joyce is truly one of those exceptional individuals who consistently goes above and beyond to support both patients and staff. She currently volunteers as a Brew Buddy, supports in the Discharge Lounge, ensuring patients feel cared for and reassured during their transition home and in the Emergency Department, where she keeps a watchful eye to make sure patients stay hydrated and comfortable during what can often be a stressful time. Joyce also plays a key role in welcoming and supporting new volunteers.
2025 UHN Excellence Awards sponsored by SmartCo Future Health Categories
Have you, a loved one or family member received excellent care from a colleague or team at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN), based at either Kettering (KGH), Northampton (NGH) hospitals or one of their off-site locations?
This is your chance to tell us about the people who have made a difference through the care or kindness they have given. Judges will be looking for individuals or teams for whom nothing is too much trouble, who provide consistently great care or service, treat others with kindness and respect, and are a shining light and an example to others
We are looking for examples of:
- High-quality care received from our compassionate, excellent, and dedicated team members who went above and beyond to care for you.
- If someone made you feel listened to, well cared for and who showed kindness and respect.
- Those unsung heroes who quietly do exceptional work and have done something special or incredible to make the experience of being a patient or a visitor to one of our hospitals a bit easier.
- How the individual or team demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the wider community.
Many colleagues make a huge contribution every day but they may not always be seen. These colleagues are critical to delivering healthcare services and ensuring patients can access the services they need. Whether they are looking after our buildings and facilities, staffing our reception areas, keeping our supplies well stocked, making sure our processes and clinics run smoothly, transporting patients, providing fresh food or keeping our hospital clean, everyone plays a role.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- An individual who has done something extraordinary to make a difference to University Hospital of Northamptonshire.
- An individual who has been a true inspiration to others and who you see as a hospital hero.
- How the individual or team demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the wider community.
Individuals across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire make a huge contribution to the service we provide every day. This award celebrates an individual who has led the way – this could be setting an example of how to work collaboratively, consistently achieving excellent operational performance or overcoming a number of challenges to still provide an excellent experience for patient. The judges would like to recognise individuals in a clinical role who have improved a patient’s experience.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- How the individual developed themselves as a role model to provide the best care for patients or supporting colleagues.
- How an individual who goes above and beyond to consistently play their part to improve the hospital.
- How they respect other people’s views, experiences, and skills with a commitment to their professional or personal development.
- How the individual or team demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the wider community.
Many teams make a huge contribution every day. This award celebrates a team who have led the way across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) – this could be setting an example of how to work collaboratively as a cohesive team, consistently achieving excellent operational performance or overcoming a number of challenges to still provide an excellent experience for patients.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- Teams working well together to develop themselves as role models and to provide the best care for patients or supporting colleagues.
- The difference and impact a team has made to you.
- How they respect other people’s views, experiences, and skills with a commitment to the team’s health and wellbeing and professional or personal development.
- How the team demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the community.
Many teams make a huge contribution every day, but they may not always be seen. Whether they are looking after our buildings and facilities, staffing our reception areas, keeping our supplies well stocked, making sure our processes and clinics run smoothly, transporting patients, providing fresh food or keeping our hospital clean, everyone plays a role. This award celebrates a team who has led the way across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) – this could be setting an example of how to work collaboratively as a cohesive team, consistently achieving excellent operational performance, or overcoming a number of challenges to still provide an excellent experience for patient.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- Teams working well together to develop themselves as role models and to provide the best care for patients or supporting colleagues.
- The difference and impact a team has made to you.
- How they respect other people’s views, experiences, and skills with a commitment to the team’s health and wellbeing and professional or personal development.
- How the team demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the community.
This award is sponsored by Multiverse. Recognising a team or individual who has implemented new research, an innovative idea or an improvement project which has resulted in improved practice, better outcomes, or a more efficient way of working for service users, colleagues, or stakeholders. They may have been involved with clinical or research trials, introduced a new approach to their area or taken part in an innovative improvement project to make our hospitals a better place for patients, visitors, and colleagues.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- How they've helped to implement improvements, championed and supported patients or colleagues through research studies or found a solution to a problem to make things better.
- What difference has been made from implementing these projects or ideas to a diverse range of patients, colleagues, or stakeholders.
- How the individual or team demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the community.
Recognise someone who demonstrates empathy, understanding, and support towards their colleagues. This involves actively listening, offering help, and fostering a culture where colleagues feel valued and supported. This can be peer to peer or through compassionate leadership.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- How the individual has shown empathy and understanding; checking in on colleagues and actively listened to concerns.
- How the individual has provided practical solutions, support with tasks or workload.
- How the individual has created opportunities for individuals or team members to connect and support each other.
- How the individual demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the community.
We want to celebrate the contribution made by the hundreds of people who give their time for free. From those who volunteer across our hospitals, including radio stations, ward volunteers, meeting and greeting patients or visitors, buggy drivers, and staff wellbeing across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- A volunteer who goes above and beyond to brighten the lives of patients and visitors, carers and also our colleagues.
- A volunteer who has had a positive impact on delivering services and those little extra touches that couldn’t be provided without their support - for example our buggy or brew buddy initiative.
- How the individual demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the community.
Celebrating those individuals and teams who have made a difference to the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire by supporting fund raising in aid of Northamptonshire Health Charity. These are people who have helped by raising the profile of a specific event, fundraising campaign, or increasing an awareness of the Northamptonshire Health Charity
Judges will be looking for examples of:
- People who champion and recognise the value of Northamptonshire Health Charity.
- Those who have supported, fundraised, or done something incredible for the charity to make University Hospitals of Northamptonshire a better place for patients or our colleagues.
How the individual demonstrates and promotes a culture of compassion, equality, diversity and inclusion for patients, colleagues or the community.
Submit your nomination
Nominations are now closed. Look out for the 2026 awards coming soon.
Tips for writing a good Excellence Award nomination
Nominating one of our colleagues or volunteers for an award is a great way to recognise their achievements and the support they've given to you or your loved ones.
When completing the nomination form please think about how your nominee demonstrates our values Respect, Compassion, Accountability, Integrity and Courage.
We have a word limit for nominations of 150 words, so it’s important to make your nomination stand out.
Below, we've put together some tips to help make your award nomination submission the best it can be.
- Think about who you want to nominate and why- try to note down the key points before you start writing the nomination.
- Get to know the category you are nominating the individual for. These are all listed with a brief explanation. Make sure you are nominating your colleague, volunteer, or team for the correct category.
- If you're not sure on which category they fit into, write your nomination first and then go back to see which category suits their achievements.
- Keep your explanation simple and think about the who, what, where, when and why’s. Tell us why they deserve the nomination and about the difference they have made.
- Where possible link your nomination back to our values and explain how the person or team demonstrated these values in their work. Please also think about how they have demonstrated equality and inclusion in the workplace.
- Write in an easy-to-understand language. Try to avoid acronyms and make sure it's clear for someone who doesn't know the individual to understand.
- Think about the evidence you can give in your nomination and how you can justify your points. Try not to repeat information or phrases.
- Write your submission and then edit it to make sure the key points are covered. It's always good to ask someone else to read the nomination before you submit it.
- Avoid phrases such as they're a smiley person or they're good at their job - these don't tell us how they've made a difference. Try finding meaningful words in your nomination like determine, respectful, inspirational, teamwork, motivating, empowering.
- Phrases such as driving for constant improvement, problem solving mindset and overcoming barriers are all impactful ways to explain your nominee and what that have achieved.
- Don't use the same nomination for multiple people. Make them unique and they are more likely to be noticed.
Previous Excellence Awards Winners
Excellence Awards Winners 2024
An awards event was held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 to celebrate the achievements of some of the amazing colleagues, volunteers, and fundraisers, from University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, made up of Kettering and Northampton general hospitals.
Read more about NHS staff, volunteers and fundraisers who have received awards in 2024.
Excellence Awards Winners 2023
An awards event was held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 to celebrate the achievements of some of the amazing colleagues, volunteers, and fundraisers, from Kettering and Northampton general hospitals.
Read more about NHS staff, volunteers and fundraisers who have received awards in 2023.