Monthly Star Award: 2026 winners

Jess was nominated by a patient who said:

I would love to say a massive thank you on behalf of my best friend who sadly we lost last year. Jess left a footprint in her cancer journey. On this one particular day, she was fed up and tired and unloaded all her feelings to Jess during her PICC line appointment. Jess listened and gave her the time she needed, she reassured her that the way she was feeling was normal and that she wasn't alone. After she had finished her dressing, she said to her, promise me one thing that you will go to the Maggie’s Centre and have a cup of coffee and a chat. Jess showed so much compassion and a listening ear at one of her darkest weeks and turned it into something positive. We enjoyed our visits to Maggie’s each week and met some amazing people, so thank you Jess you made such a difference in my friend’s last weeks of fighting. Jess empowered her to step out her comfort zone and socialise with others who understood what she was going through, so she didn't feel so alone. She always showed kindness and compassion. Jess was a guardian angel.

Trust values demonstrated: Kind, Inclusive, Empowered and Responsible

Justine was nominated by a patient who said:

I would like to nominate Justine for the extraordinary compassion, inclusivity, and dedication she has shown in supporting me throughout my cancer journey. From the moment I was first diagnosed, Justine has gone above and beyond to ensure I felt supported, informed and understood as both a patient and an individual. She was always available at the end of the phone to answer questions, provide reassurance and help me navigate what was an incredibly overwhelming and uncertain time.

What makes Justine truly exceptional is the way she builds genuine rapport with patients. As someone who is autistic, I greatly value clear information and understanding. Justine took the time to communicate with me in a way that respected both my professional knowledge and my individual needs. She went out of her way to provide information, answer questions thoroughly and ensure I fully understood each stage of my care. Her support significantly reduced the anxiety and uncertainty I experienced during treatment, allowing me to feel more confident, informed, and able to cope with the challenges of my cancer journey. Justine’s approach demonstrates what truly patient-centred care looks like in practice.

Trust values demonstrated: Kind, Inclusive, Empowered and Responsible  

Helen was nominated by a colleague who said:

The feedback Helen receives from her patients is consistently outstanding, highlighting not only her clinical expertise but also her compassion and ability to provide meaningful support during challenging times. She is an invaluable source of support to consultants, frequently assisting across multiple clinics to ensure services run smoothly and patients receive timely care. Helen has played a key role in driving improvements within the prostate cancer service, contributing to numerous projects aimed at enhancing patient experience and outcomes.

In addition to her clinical work, Helen has collaborated with pharmaceutical partners to help improve service demands. Helen is deeply committed to developing others and consistently supports junior team members. Her passion, leadership, and unwavering focus on patient-centred care make her an exceptional member of the team and a truly deserving candidate for this award.

Trust values demonstrated: Kind, Inclusive, Empowered and Responsible  

Sue was nominated by a colleague who said:

Sue's hard work and commitment to the team and its running ensures that we are consistently achieving desired outcomes and run like a well-oiled machine. With her unwavering support, our team has met and surpassed our targets for the past two years, found better ways to work, and developed a strong teamwork-based ethos to how we work that has led us to success after success, enabling new studies to become available to our patients, and ultimately improving treatment options in the wider NHS.

Her encouragement and commitment to connecting with others throughout the department and beyond, has shown great benefit not just to our team, but teams and departments across the board. She fosters and encourages an atmosphere where staff feel comfortable working independently, empowering her staff to find solutions and is always happy to have ideas run by her for improvements to our workflows. She will always give credit where it is due, and always ensures milestones are acknowledged and celebrated. Her kindness has no limits and is always freely given.

Trust values demonstrated: Kind, Inclusive, Empowered and Responsible