80 outstanding teams and individuals who are helping to transform health and care services across Norfolk and Suffolk were recognised at the inaugural Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards.
Drawing 176 nominations from across the NHS, local government, voluntary sector, social enterprises and community organisations, the awards celebrated the people and partnerships making a real difference to the lives of local people.
Presented during Expo 2026, the awards recognised excellence across eight categories spanning prevention, innovation, leadership, partnership working and community-based care. Together, the finalists showcased the compassion, ambition and collaboration helping shape the future of health and care across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Congratulations to all the winners, whose achievements demonstrate the impact that can be achieved when organisations work together to improve outcomes for local communities.
Meet the award winners:
• Digital Innovation – ESNEFT Parkinson’s Clinical Team and Innovation Team
• Hospital to Community – Laura Tooth
• Treatment to Prevention – Active NoW
• Partnership with People and Communities – A Community That Cares
• Research and Innovation – Dr Wendy MacNab
• Supporting Young People – Breaking Barriers
• Inspirational Leader – Kate Ward
• Unsung Hero – Donny Brown
Digital Innovation Award
Winner: ESNEFT Parkinson’s Clinical Team and Innovation Team
This award recognises a groundbreaking approach to Parkinson’s care that is helping people live better with a complex and unpredictable condition. By giving clinicians a clearer picture of patients’ health between appointments, the team has improved support, reduced avoidable hospital admissions and created a model of care now attracting national and international attention. It demonstrates how technology can strengthen, rather than replace, the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals.
The judges recognised the impact that this project has for people living with Parkinson’s. They were impressed at how people were given more real-time information on their condition between appointments, which enabled them to have better health and wellbeing. There was also strong evidence of the project’s impact on quality of care and savings for the NHS and wider health and care system.
ESNEFT Parkinson’s nurse consultant, Sheeba Mason said: “We are humbled and delighted because the competition was so stiff. This is a recognition for teamwork – a group of different people working together for the patient’s benefit. In these days of Artificial Intelligence we have got to embrace it and empower our patients to be more involved in their care and treatment. There is a long way to go – we are in the early stages – but it is good to be recognised for the work we have done so far.”
Hospital to Community Award
Winner: Laura Tooth, NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB
Laura’s work is transforming access to women’s healthcare by bringing services closer to home and making them more accessible to those who need them most. Through strong partnership working and a focus on tackling health inequalities, she has helped create a model that reduces unnecessary hospital visits, empowers local healthcare teams and ensures women can access more joined-up support within their own communities.
Laura said: “This award reflects the hard work and collaboration of colleagues across primary care, secondary care and the ICB, who have all shared a common ambition to improve women’s healthcare. A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in, and contributed to, this programme of work.”
The judges felt that Laura showed great leadership in developing innovative new services in Norfolk and Waveney. By working directly with women to understand their needs, she was able to articulate a clear vision that brought partners together. She developed strong relationships to achieve long-term impact and her approach can be replicated in other areas within health and care.
Treatment to Prevention Award
Winner: Active NoW
Active NoW is supporting the NHS to pivot from treating illness to preventing it. By embedding physical activity within routine healthcare, the programme is helping thousands of people improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life. Its success shows the powerful role that community-based prevention can play in reducing health inequalities and supporting healthier, more independent lives.
The judges were impressed by the impact generated by this programme. It delivers tangible results, particularly for those who are inactive, living with long term conditions or experiencing health inequalities.
Ryan Hughes, Head of Programmes and Partnerships, Active Norfolk, said “We are incredibly proud that the Active NoW programme has been recognised with the Treatment to Prevention Award at the Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Expo. This award reflects the dedication of our partners, health professionals and community providers who are helping people become more active before their health reaches crisis point. By making physical activity an integral part of health and care pathways, we’re empowering people to improve their wellbeing, manage long-term conditions and live healthier, more independent lives. This recognition reinforces the importance of working together to shift from treating illness to preventing it, creating lasting benefits for individuals and communities across Norfolk and Waveney.”
Partnership with People and Communities Award
Winner: A Community That Cares – Botesdale Health Centre and Partners
What began as a local partnership between the health centre and its Patient Participation Group has become a powerful example of what can happen when communities are trusted to shape solutions for themselves. Through the dedication of local organisations and many dedicated volunteer groups, these initiatives have strengthened social connections, reduced isolation and improved access to support for some of the most vulnerable residents, creating a more connected, healthier and more resilient rural community.
The judges were impressed by the exceptional commitment of the volunteers working in their rural community to listen and respond to the needs of local people whilst amplifying the patient voice. The volunteers have delivered a wide range of wellbeing initiatives and have improved access to care by addressing issues such as digital exclusion and lack of transport.
Christine Waters, Chair of the Botesdale Health Centre Patient Participation Group, said: “This is a phenomenal moment for all the volunteers across our community. Winning the Partnership with People and Communities Award recognises the dedication shown by well over 100 volunteers and shines a light on their decades of service and the everyday commitment they show in supporting local people.
For us as a health centre and as a Patient Participation Group, this award reflects what matters most: listening to our patient community, valuing lived experience and working alongside people to shape decisions. It shows how much can be achieved when communities and partners collaborate to improve access, experience, and outcomes of care.”
Research and Innovation Award
Winner: Dr Wendy MacNab – WiD Easy Endometrial Cancer Diagnostics
Dr MacNab’s pioneering work is helping women experiencing bleeding after menopause to receive answers more quickly, giving them earlier reassurance and quicker access to treatment when cancer is present. By replacing many invasive procedures with a simple diagnostic test, the innovation is improving patient experience while increasing efficiency across the healthcare system. It represents the kind of research-led innovation that can fundamentally change the way care is delivered.
The judges were impressed by the leadership demonstrated by Dr MacNab, Clinical Director for Gynaecology at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, in delivering an innovation that has achieved a significant and measurable impact for patients, staff and the wider health system.
Dr MacNab said: “We are very pleased to have won this award. This was a team effort to introduce a whole new type of test with much better patient acceptability – one that is less invasive. It’s nice to be recognised and pleasing that most patients are seeing the benefits as a result.”
Supporting Young People Award
Winner: Breaking Barriers, Ormiston Families
Breaking Barriers provides a vital lifeline for children and young people coping with the imprisonment of a family member. By helping them understand, process and navigate what can be a deeply traumatic experience, the service improves emotional wellbeing, strengthens family relationships and gives young people the confidence and support they need to thrive despite challenging circumstances.
Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Ormiston Families, said: “Working with families affected by imprisonment is an often overlooked and misunderstood area, so to receive this award is fantastic validation for Breaking Barriers’ work.
“The children and young people we work with show great bravery when working with us so the award is as much for them as the team.”
The judges felt that this small organisation was a very worthy winner. By delivering transformational support to highly vulnerable young people whose family members are within the criminal justice system, they are helping to build resilience and enable them to take back control and break the cycle of offending.
Inspirational Leader Award
Winner: Kate Ward, East Coast Community Healthcare CIC
Kate’s leadership has transformed a hospital service into a modern, community-focused model that helps more people regain their independence after a stay in hospital. Her ability to bring teams together around a shared vision has led to better outcomes for patients, improved experiences for staff and a service that is now recognised as an example of best practice across the region.
The judges were impressed by this truly inspirational leader who led her team through a complex transformation programme and has delivered measurable impact for staff wellbeing and engagement.
Kate said: “I am very honoured to have been nominated for the Inspiring Leader award, and I am extremely grateful to have won. I am proud to be a manager of a truly exceptional team, together we have implemented many positive changes over the last year with our transformational programme from acute trust to a community organisation. I would like to thank East Coast Community Healthcare for the opportunities that they have given me and my team and I look forward to exciting future.”
Unsung Hero Award
Winner: Donny Brown, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Drawing on his own lived experience, Donny has become a source of comfort, hope and reassurance for countless patients and families at Ipswich Hospital, who face some of the most difficult moments of their lives. His extraordinary commitment extends far beyond volunteering, creating lasting support networks and helping people feel less alone. Through his kindness, compassion and tireless dedication, he embodies the very spirit of the Unsung Hero Award.
Donny said: “I felt humbled, I really did, especially considering all the other worthy candidates I was nominated alongside. It’s a lovely feeling knowing that people feel that way towards me, even though I don’t do this for the recognition. It is important that I have been through treatment myself to be able to understand other people and their experiences.”
The judges wanted to recognise the sheer number and diversity of voluntary activities that Donny is involved with, from volunteering in the Head and Neck clinic and Radiotherapy department to supporting charity events and maintaining a therapeutic hospital garden. The judges felt the impact of his volunteering will have a lasting legacy for many people, and for years to come.
Congratulations to every finalist and nominee recognised at the inaugural Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards. Together, they represent the compassion, innovation and collaboration that are helping shape the future of health and care across Norfolk and Suffolk.
You can read about the awards and nominations on the Expo 2026 website.