Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust celebrates outstanding colleagues at annual awards
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust celebrated the achievements of colleagues and teams from across the organisation at its Annual BHT Awards 2026.
Held at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Thursday 5 November, the awards recognised colleagues whose compassion, innovation and teamwork are making a difference to patients, families and communities across Buckinghamshire.
Nicky Walls, Specialist Nurse Advisor in the Special School Nursing Team, received the People’s Award for Excellence in Healthcare, which recognises colleagues nominated by patients, families and the public for making a significant difference to their experiences of care. Nicky was recognised for the lasting difference she has made to young people and families, combining clinical expertise with compassion and encouraging staff to ‘see the person before the condition’.
Liz Monaghan, Matron for Palliative and End of Life Care, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her remarkable 39 years of NHS service. Liz has led with compassion and a deep respect for what matters to patients, while empowering colleagues to improve care. Her legacy will continue to benefit patients, families and colleagues long after her retirement.
Paul Mott, Emergency Department Buddy, received the Volunteer of the Year Award for the difference he makes to patients, families and colleagues. He represents volunteering at its very best, helping people feel cared for and less alone during some of their most difficult moments.
Other winners included:
Listening to our Patients and Colleagues: Community Paediatric Neurodevelopment Team, for using feedback from more than 900 children and families to make its service more accessible and responsive.
Embracing Differences: Andrea Field, Talent for Care Lead, for making learning more inclusive and accessible, including developing a dyslexia-friendly Care Certificate assessment.
Empowering Change: Hayley Hart, Physician Associate, Gastroenterology, for establishing a specialist clinic for people with advanced liver disease, helping to reduce avoidable hospital stays.
Excellence in Corporate Services: Lucy Mayes, HR Business Partner, for supporting teams to improve workplace culture.
Excellence in Clinical Support Services: Blood Sciences Department, for delivering major improvements while maintaining its round-the-clock service.
Excellence in Teamworking and Partnership: ePMA Pharmacy Team, for helping introduce electronic prescribing and medicines administration to improve medicines safety.
Excellence in Community Care: Paediatric BCG Immunisation Team, for increasing vaccination uptake and making the service more accessible to families.
Excellence in Acute Care: Louise Collier, Heart Failure Advanced Clinical Practitioner, for helping more patients access specialist heart failure support in hospital.
Colleague of the Year: Jean Mytom, Jenna Jacks, Mohammed Abdul Rokeeb, Dr Tamsin McAllister and Tom Hunter-Watts, representing each care group and Corporate Services.
Excellence in Leadership: Reema D’Souza, Associate Chief Nurse, for her compassionate leadership and work to improve patient safety and experience.
The Trust also presented Dez Kay, Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio volunteer, with a special award to mark an incredible 50 years of service, bringing comfort, companionship and entertainment to patients.
Thank you to the sponsors who made such a special event possible.
Bridget O’Kelly, Chief People Officer, said: “Our Annual BHT Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people and teams who make such a difference every day. This year’s winners demonstrate extraordinary compassion, innovation and teamwork, and a shared commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients and communities. Congratulations to all our winners, those highly commended and everyone nominated. Thank you for everything you do.”