UHBW staff celebrated at Full-hearted Care Awards 2025

Staff who have gone above and beyond at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) were celebrated at the Trust’s staff awards.

The Full-hearted Care awards are an opportunity to recognise the difference colleagues make to the lives they touch, whether that be within our Trust or beyond to patients and communities.

Funded by the Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, the awards took place at Ashton Gate Stadium on Friday (16 May). Hosted by LCB Radio’s James Hanson.

During a six-week nomination period, UHBW colleagues nominated each other for 10 award categories. This led to an extraordinary 909 nominations, with colleagues wanting to recognise and celebrate the crucial work that takes place every day.

Additionally, the awards celebrated those who have reached remarkable milestones of 30 and 40 years of continuous NHS service. The night celebrated a total of 93 colleagues serving a total of 3,150 years with the NHS.

The awards were introduced by the Trust Group Chief Executive, Maria Kane who said: “I’m delighted to celebrate the extraordinary work of colleagues, teams and volunteers who help bring full-hearted care to life every day.  

“We rarely stop to remember all the special things that take place every day in our line of work. It’s a fast-paced environment with daily challenges – what you do goes beyond being a job, you are beacons of compassion, dedication and kindness.  

“Your individual stories and experiences reflect the extraordinary care given day in, day out. So, on behalf of Team UHBW, and all our patients and communities, a huge heartfelt thank you to you all. 

Closing the awards, Trust Group Chair, Ingrid Barker said:

“I would like to take a moment to reflect on all the fantastic work we have celebrated here this evening.

“Tonight, has been about you, the people who make a difference every day. It was truly moving to see the perseverance, passion and excellence that so many of you bring to work and I hope you’ll all remember the positive and lasting impact what you do has on your colleagues, your patients and your communities.

“It has been a privilege to honour all our long-service colleagues for their dedication and loyalty to the NHS, I think we all know that working within healthcare isn’t without its challenges, but it’s clear that what we do and the difference we make to the lives of others gives us true purpose and the drive to show up every day.

“Each story we have heard this evening speaks to the values that define us and above all our commitment to improving the lives of others. Thank you to everyone who has been recognised here this evening, without you we couldn’t be us. You remind us of what’s possible when we care deeply about the work we do and the people we serve.”

Following a six-week nomination period where UHBW colleagues were given the opportunity to reflect on the hard work that takes place every day, and to celebrate the dedication shown by each other, by completing entries to one of 10 award categories.

The evening served as an opportunity to celebrate colleagues chosen by divisions by their divisions for their outstanding achievements.

Katie Walker, Chief Executive of Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, said:  

“As your hospitals’ charity, we’re committed to supporting the outstanding work each and every one of you does for patients across the South West. That’s why it’s a huge pleasure for us to support these awards, reflecting your passion, dedication and successes.

“You, the NHS staff, are the heart and soul of our hospitals and our charity. People support us because of you. Because they want to say thank you for the care you deliver to their loved ones. They want to say thanks to you for making their hospital visit a little easier. And they want to say thank you for saving their life.

“The next five years for our charity and hospital Trust are hugely exciting and we’re looking to achieve an incredible amount together, which is reflected in our new strategy.

“Standing beside our NHS, we’re planning to invest more than £6million over the next five years to benefit every patient who sets foot in our hospitals. We’ll be transforming older people’s experience in the hospitals, supporting rehabilitation, reducing distress, and improving engagement and wellbeing. We’ll be funding projects that transform hospital spaces into calming environments that lower stress levels and improve wellbeing. We’ll be funding innovating research and pioneering new treatments. And we’ll enable access for people who experience barriers to treatment in our hospitals, ensuring everyone gets the best possible experience for their individual needs.

“Our work wouldn’t be possible without our NHS staff, so please keep telling your patients about us so they know how to support Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity and how we can continue making a difference to you and your patients.

“With the support of our community, we can push the boundaries of healthcare further than ever before."

The Full-hearted Care Awards 2025 categories and winners are:

Be There Award - Caroline Walker Pharmacy Transformation Programme Manager

Unsung Inspiration Award - Diane Mason Bowel Cancer Screening Secretary

It Can Be Done’ Award - Jo Waldron Deputy Lead Cleft Speech and Language Therapist

Rising Star Award - Elise Sapsford Outpatient Equality Access Coordinator

Listen to Learn Award - Primary Care Dental team

Doing Great Things Award - Chosen by Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity - Simon Heckford Senior Project Manager

Impact Award - Anna Cygan Practice Development Education Facilitator

Better Together Award - Plaster Room Team - Orthopaedic Outpatients

Community Hero Award - Lara Kropfitsch

Full-hearted Care Award - Charlie Watson Hospital Outreach Support Worker