
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for our Celebrating Excellence Awards 2026!
We received nearly 300 nominations, highlighting the incredible people and teams who make a difference across our trust every day.
Our judges now have the tough job of creating a shortlist from so many inspiring entries.
Good luck to all those nominated!
Award categories
Team of the Year (Frontline / Clinical / Clinical Support)
For a frontline, clinical or clinical support team committed to harm free care that can demonstrate excellence in:
- Improving a service
- Managing a difficult issue or
- Implementing a service change that benefits patients.
Clinician of the Year (Frontline / Clinical / Clinical Support)
For an individual that can demonstrate excellence in:
- Improving a service
- Managing a difficult issue or
- Implementing a service change that benefits patients.
Team of the Year (Support and Corporate Services)
For a support (non-clinical) team that can demonstrate excellence in:
- Improving a service
- Managing a difficult issue
- Implementing a service change that benefits its “customers”, or
- Supporting a clinical team to implement a service change that benefits patients.
Unsung Hero (Support and Corporate Services)
This award is for an individual who demonstrates excellence in providing non-clinical services, and who puts people at the heart of everything they do.
Rising Star
As an organisation, we want to be as supportive as possible and provide an environment where people can achieve their potential. This award is in recognition of an individual who, early in their Newcastle Hospitals career, is making a significant impact and contribution to the Trust, their colleagues and the delivery of our services.
Partnership Working
For a team that can demonstrate excellence in working in partnership to improve or change a service for the benefit of patients. The partnership working could be between teams within the trust, or with colleagues from other organisations.
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
We work hard to make sure that we deliver the highest standards of care in the NHS with a clear focus on quality and patient safety. This award is for a team or individual that has driven a quality or patient safety initiative demonstrating real change and improvement to their service or practice.
Innovation, Transformation and Research
We value research and are always seeking to learn and to create and apply new knowledge for the benefit of patients and colleagues. This award is for a team or individual that can demonstrate excellence in developing and implementing an innovation, transformation programme or area of research that has improved the clinical or non-clinical services they provide.
The Shine Award (Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle)
In 2019, Newcastle Hospitals become the first healthcare organisation to declare a Climate Emergency. This award is for a team, or individual, that has successfully demonstrated a reduction in the environmental impact of their service or the wider organisation.
Staff experience
For a team or individual who has made a huge impact in supporting colleagues and taken action to create a positive working environment in the trust, where staff are listened to and are able to have an influence.
Championing Equality
For an individual or team who has made a difference in creating a fairer and more inclusive environment at Newcastle Hospitals, for colleagues, patients and/or local communities.
Volunteer of the Year
For an individual, not directly employed by the Trust, who has an impact on colleagues and patients through their volunteering efforts, making a positive contribution to our services or to the lives of patients.
Charity Supporter of the Year
For an individual or team who has made a substantial contribution to assisting wards or services deliver the highest quality of care to patients through their own generous donations or support they give to a charity for the benefit of Newcastle Hospitals.