News and events

Dozens of NHS workers in Hertfordshire have been recognised for their outstanding dedication, innovation and compassion at our staff recognition event.

Our 15th annual Leading Lights ceremony, held on Tuesday 23 June 2026 at Tewinbury Farm, recognised individuals and teams from across the trust who have gone above and beyond to provide excellent care, improve services, support colleagues and make a positive difference for patients, families and communities.

This year’s awards received 180 nominations across a range of categories, reflecting the breadth of talent, commitment and achievement across HCT.

Dr Nicolas Small, Trust Chair, said: “Leading Lights is one of the most important moments in our year because it gives us the opportunity to say thank you and celebrate the people who make HCT such a special organisation. 

“Our winners demonstrate the very best of community healthcare: compassion, creativity, partnership and an unwavering commitment to improving lives.”

The winners of the 2026 Leading Lights Awards were:

• Demonstrating Fantastic Patient Care – Individual: Marie Arkell, Activity Organiser at the Herts and Essex Community Inpatient Rehab Unit; and Jane Bunker, Specialist Paediatric Optometrist in the Children’s Eye Service.
• Demonstrating Fantastic Patient Care – Team: Children’s Community Nursing Team.
• Excellence in Partnership Working – Individual: Spencer Langham, Integrated Community Respiratory Service Manager.
• Excellence in Partnership Working – Team: Digital First and MSK.
• Providing Excellent Support Services – Individual: Helen Turner, Senior Project Manager, Transformation.
• Providing Excellent Support Services – Team: SystmOne Reset Project.
• The Deborah Bone Award for Innovation and Service Improvement – Individual: Joanne Milburn, Service Coordinator, Adult Bladder and Bowel Care Service.
• The Deborah Bone Award for Innovation and Service Improvement – Team: Digital First team.
• Making the Trust a Great Place to Work – Individual: Anna Fletcher, Therapy Lead, Inpatient Rehab Unit at Herts and Essex Community Hospital; and Elizabeth Grinter, Children’s Specialist Services Admin Lead.
• Making the Trust a Great Place to Work – Team: Learning and Development Team.
• The Green Award: Promoting Environmental Sustainability: Toni Pattenden, Diabetic Assistant, East and North Diabetes Service.
• Promoting Inclusion and Tackling Health Inequalities – Individual: Abby Minter, Occupational Therapist in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service; and Monica Rodriguez, Speech and Language Therapy Apprentice in Children’s Therapies.
• Promoting Inclusion and Tackling Health Inequalities – Team: East of England Community and School Aged Immunisation Service; and Nurse-Led Pre-Assessment Mobilisation Team.
• Rising Star Award: Cherry Sham, Healthcare Assistant, Stevenage ICT; and Mollie Evans, Educational Mental Health Practitioner, SEND Mental Health Support Team.
• Chair’s Special Award for Outstanding Leadership: Emma Jakes, Deputy Locality Manager at Stevenage ICT; and the Hospital at Home Leadership Team.

The ceremony also recognised colleagues with long service, retirees, newly recognised Queen’s Nurses, colleagues completing the trust’s preceptorship programme, recently qualified staff and Professional Advocates.

The event was supported by HCT NHS Charity and sponsors Doccla and DAC Beachcroft.

ENDS