Winners of Our Health Heroes Awards 2022 announced

The winners of the sixth annual Our Health Heroes Awards were announced today (24^th March) at a glittering awards ceremony held at London Science Museum.

Supported by Health Education England, NHS Employers, UNISON, Bevan Brittan, SFJ Awards and Chamberlain Dunn, Our Health Heroes Awards celebrates the wider healthcare workforce that supports our NHS doctors and nurses on the frontline.

From porters and cleaners to receptionists, gardeners and security guards, these often unsung heroes make up roughly 40% of the NHS’ million strong workforce; Our Health Heroes Awards is a national celebration of their achievements and an opportunity to give thanks for the important role that they play in keeping our health service functioning.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare, sponsored by NHS Employers:

Ediscyll Lorusso – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Breakthrough Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by UNISON:

Sharon Maywood – North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Exceptional NHS Operational Support Worker of the Year, sponsored by UNISON:

Sarah Martin – Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust

Inspirational Clinical Support Worker of the Year:

Mary Jackson – Southern Health & Social Care Trust

Team winners: Healthy Teen Minds (Dedication to a Lifelong Learning Culture); Hampshire Search & Rescue (Most Inspired Health and Care Support by a UK Charity/Social Enterprise); Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Most Promising OD & People Programme); University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust (NHS Improvement through Digital Innovation); St Clare Hospice (Most Progressive Integrated Care Workforce Programme);  Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (Best Emergency Services Collaboration); Spectrum Community Health CIC (Best Healthcare Initiative in a Community or Criminal Justice Setting).

John Rogers, CEO of Skills for Health, the not for profit that delivers Our Health Heroes, said: “A huge congratulations to all Our Health Heroes finalists. Without the wider healthcare workforce that Our Health Heroes Awards aims to recognise and celebrate our NHS would grind to a halt. Now more than ever, it is important to raise awareness of the valuable contribution that these inspirational teams and individuals make to the health of the nation and to thank them publicly for the sacrifices they make.”

Dr Navina Evans, Chief Executive of headline sponsors Health Education England, said: “The Our Health Heroes awards shine a light on the incredibly high standard of work and the vital role played by both apprentices and support workers. As the main sponsor of Our Health Heroes 2022 we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners.

“Support workers and apprentices are a key part of the healthcare workforce and, through our Talent for Care programme, HEE supports employers with their workforce supply. This is achieved via school engagement, volunteering, work experience, pre-employment activity, apprenticeships and access to higher education and the registered professions.

“Every single person that received a nomination should feel very proud of themselves for going above and beyond every day to support our patients and communities.”

Sarah Gorton, Head of Health at category sponsors UNISON, said: "UNISON is delighted to have been a part of the Our Health Heroes awards again this year. The winners are a truly deserving group of outstanding individuals who highlight the extraordinary work that the whole NHS team has to do every day. We’re sending a huge congratulations to all the winners."

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive of category sponsors NHS Employers, said: “NHS Employers is proud once again to have the opportunity to sponsor the outstanding contribution award, to ensure we recognise all the amazing people who work across the health service and who go above and beyond every day for our patients. These awards are a great way to celebrate our truly incredible people whose contribution and dedication deserves recognition. Across the country, healthcare staff are working incredibly hard to help recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19 and to provide the best care for patients and we look forward to celebrating their efforts.”

Alastair Currie, Partner at Bevan Brittan, said: “On behalf of the Bevan Brittan team I want to say a huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 2022 Our Health Heroes awards. In what has been another incredibly challenging year it is great to recognise the fantastic work of these organisations.”

Alison Dunn, Managing Director of Chamberlain Dunn, said: "Recognising and celebrating the work of the wider healthcare workforce is something that we at Chamberlain Dunn are passionate about and we are proud to support the Our Health Heroes Awards this year. We’d like to congratulate all of the awards finalists and winners, and thank them for their compassion, commitment and professionalism."