REVEALED: Celebrating Success Award Winners 2026

Thank you to all those who nominated; we received an astonishing total of 220 nominations across 10 categories. These winners were chosen out of the 30 shortlistees.

The awards provide a chance for us to recognise the hard work, dedication, and fabulous care given by individuals and teams as we all strive to make a difference every day to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Inspired by our values and behaviours our Celebrating Success Awards recognise staff from all areas of our organisation. 

Now for the moment you have all been waiting for… the winners of this year’s Celebrating Success Annual Staff Awards 2026 are:

Leadership Award 

Natalie Mclatchie - School Nursing - Clinical Service Manager

Natalie is an exceptional leader who has successfully built and united the 5–19 team, creating a strong, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.

She leads with kindness, integrity and courage – always fair, accountable, and committed to doing what’s right for her team and the children and families they support.

Through significant change, Natalie has brought clarity, stability and inspiration, fostering a true ‘One Team’ culture focused on collaboration, wellbeing and excellence. Her compassion, dedication and impact make her a truly deserving winner.

Innovation Award

Jo Brailsford-Finnis - Digital Adoption Manager (O365)

Jo Brailsford-Finnis has been recognised for her exceptional leadership in rolling out Microsoft 365 across CityCare, transforming how teams work and collaborate.

She combined innovation with a people-first approach—building trust, supporting colleagues of all digital abilities, and embedding kindness, inclusivity and respect throughout.

Her courageous leadership delivered lasting, organisation-wide change that continues to improve both staff experience and patient care.

Outstanding Contribution to Improving Patient Experience Award

PCN1 Bulwell and PCN3 Strelley - Adult Community Nursing Teams

The Adult Community Nursing Teams were recognised for their innovative partnership with Nottingham Trent University, introducing mental health expertise into community nursing in a completely new way.

This has led to more holistic, person-centred care for patients, while also building staff confidence and skills.

Their work is now influencing education and will be shared more widely across the system; a fantastic example of collaboration, leadership, and commitment to improving patient experience.

Outstanding Contribution to Improving Patient Safety Award

Karen Dalton - Public Health Practitioner - 0-19 service

Karen Dalton has been recognised for her innovative leadership in improving home safety for families.

Through partnership with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), she introduced a digital home safety questionnaire and clear safety guidance, helping identify risks early, support families, and prevent avoidable accidents.

Her creative, collaborative approach has made a lasting impact on patient safety and continues to drive improvements across the service

Social Impact Award

Des Oldham - Health Centre Manager

Des Oldham is our Social Impact winner for his incredible dedication to inclusive, community-driven work.

Through his leadership with the Severe Multiple Disadvantage Partnership (SMD Partnership) and beyond, he’s raised vital funds, awareness and support for issues like homelessness, domestic abuse and cancer. His passion for wellbeing brings people together, from running events and parkruns to inspiring others through his own achievements, including completing the Paris Marathon for charity.

Team of the Year

5-19 School Health Team

The 5–19 Team has shown outstanding resilience, teamwork and compassion during a time of significant change. They’ve come together as one cohesive team, creating a supportive, inclusive environment where staff feel valued and empowered to deliver high-quality care.

Through strong leadership, collaboration and a commitment to wellbeing, they consistently demonstrate CityCare’s values and make a real difference to children, young people and families across the city.

A truly deserving Team of the Year.

Improvement Through Learning Award

Kerri Jones - Physiotherapy Apprentice

Kerri has shown outstanding commitment to learning throughout her Physiotherapy apprenticeship, courageously leading a complex research project evaluating Falls Prevention Classes. Her work delivered clear evidence of improved patient outcomes and reduced falls risk, demonstrating how learning can drive real, measurable improvements in patient care.

Valuing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award

This year's award is dedicated in memory of Fiona Cambridge, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

Emma Mutton - Assistant Practitioner, Community Stroke service

Emma was recognised for her outstanding leadership in tackling health inequalities and championing inclusion within her team. She led a project to make patient information more accessible, including translating stroke packs for diverse communities, while bringing colleagues together, building community links, and driving more inclusive ways of working. Her kindness, respect and commitment to inclusivity have made a lasting impact on both patient care and her team.

Partnership, Collaboration and Integrated Working Award

Homeless Health Team

The Homeless Health Team works in strong partnership across health, local authority and voluntary services to deliver joined‑up, person‑centred care for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness.

By breaking down barriers, coordinating support across multiple agencies, and providing expert guidance beyond their own service, they ensure continuity of care and better outcomes—making them a truly deserving winner.

Making A Difference Award

Jeanette Swann - Executive Personal Assistant

Jeanette Swann is a truly deserving winner of the Making A Difference Award. She consistently goes above and beyond—anticipating challenges, finding solutions, and ensuring everything runs smoothly before others even realise there’s an issue.

Her exceptional organisation, attention to detail, and ability to turn ideas into action have made a significant impact across Leadership Council, the Executive Team, and wider colleagues. Whether supporting key meetings, improving processes, or stepping in beyond her role, Jeanette does it all with professionalism, care, and a calm, solution-focused approach.

She works tirelessly behind the scenes to support others—and in doing so, makes a real and lasting difference to the organisation.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees. Your commitment, creativity and compassion are what make CityCare such a remarkable place to work. We were honoured to be part of the judging panel and were genuinely moved by the nominations. The awards shine a light on the incredible work happening across our teams every day — work that often goes above and beyond, and truly deserves recognition.

Congratulations to all our winners and well done to all nominees who were shortlisted and a huge thank you to our judging panel:

• Vicky Bailey – Chair
• Dr Nicole Atkinson – Chief Executive
• Lisa Kelly – Non-Executive Director
• Hugh Porter – Non-Executive Director
• Judith Douglas – Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality
• Niki Bridge – Executive Director of Finance & Corporate Services
• Collaine Gumise – Co-Chair of the Ethnic Equality Network (in place of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead)
• Janet Ansah – Co-Chair of the Ethnic Equality Network
• Julia Webster – Chair, Unpaid Carers Network
• Clare Bedford - Co-Chair, Menopause Network 
• Alex Taylor – Chair, LGBTQ+ Network
• Lucinda (Cindy) Cumpston – Staff side representative 

The winners will be invited to a special awards presentation on the afternoon of Tuesday 21 July. Winners can also invite their manager and a colleague of their choice, to join them in receiving recognition from Board members at the event and giving them an opportunity to share their story.