NHS stars celebrated at annual awards for King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital
More than 300 guests heard heartwarming stories at the annual awards for staff from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn on Tuesday evening.
The Team QEH Awards took place at Lynn Corn Exchange, where finalists and guests were treated to a glitzy evening with special guest speaker Nicolas Hamilton.
Nicholas, who has cystic fibrosis, was the first disabled driver to compete in the British Touring Car Championship and is the brother of Formula 1 racing driver Lewis.
Nominations of compassionate leadership, groundbreaking projects that enhance the care and wellbeing for patients, and exceptional dedication to frail and vulnerable patients meant there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
This year saw more than 650 nominations from patients and colleagues who all felt their nominee worthy of being put forward for an award.
A total of 13 awards were presented to members of Team QEH and those who work closely with them.
Winners at the 2025 Team QEH Awards, sponsored by PA Consulting, are:
Exceptional Quality of Care Award, sponsored by mtx: Charmaine Shew - staff nurse, Sandringham Unit
One to Watch Award, sponsored by the New QEH Design Team: Leanne Howling - staff nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Leader of the Year, sponsored by exi group: Alexandra Harris - department manager, Endoscopy
The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation, sponsored by NICHE Anchor Institute: Joint Replacement Team
The Kindness Award, sponsored by Castons Artelia Group: Katrina Byrne - medical secretary
The Wellness Award: Ayesha Malik - consultant, Emergency Department
The Fairness Award, sponsored by Palm Paper: Jeffrey Rojas, staff nurse, Peddars Way Unit
The John Voaden Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by MTS Health Limited: Sarah Harvey
The Working Together Award, sponsored by Barnes Construction: QEH Cancer Care and Wellbeing & Alive West Norfolk
Clinical Team of the Year, sponsored by Advanced Building Projects East Anglia: Frailty Same Day Emergency Care
Non-Clinical Team of the Year, sponsored by Bidwells: Catering Department
The Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by RG Carter: Lisa Houghton - housekeeper, Intensive Treatment Unit
The Chair’s Award: Helen Muncey, head of education faculty
Professor Lesley Dwyer, chief executive of the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, co-hosted the awards evening with Chris Bown, interim executive managing director.
Chris said: “This evening highlights the tremendous compassion and skill The QEH has to offer. It was truly an uplifting and heartwarming evening to be able to celebrate with these worthy winners. Congratulations to all involved.”
The Chair’s Award winner, which was the final award of the evening, was handed to Helen Muncey, head of education faculty. Graham Ward, interim vice-chair said that Helen was his chosen winner because of her pivotal role in leading the recent classification of the QEH as a teaching hospital.
Helen, who had no idea she’d receive this surprise award, said: “I’m completely overwhelmed and really so grateful. It means so much - education is really important for all of our staff and this really recognises that.”
Partner from sponsor PA Consulting, James Glossop, said: “We are so proud to sponsor these awards for the second year. Last year, we were personally humbled when we saw the quality and the incredible stories behind each and every nomination.
“The ingenuity and passion that the staff at QEH bring to delivering high-quality, safe, patient-centred care is truly inspirational. Taking the time to recognise this through the QEH staff awards is hugely important and something that PA are proud to support.”