CARE Awards 2026

A clinical team who consistently demonstrate good team working to deliver an efficient and high-performing service. They have successfully implemented change or improved services for the benefit of their patients, taking into account the quality and safety of the care they provide.

There will be one Stockport winner and one Tameside winner in this category.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• How their behaviour and shared approach shows their belief in our shared values
• Outstanding teamwork and collaboration
• Teams working together to support personal and professional development of members
• Improvement work on behalf of patients
• Outstanding, patient-centred care that staff would be happy to recommend to friends or family

A non-clinical or support team who consistently demonstrate good team working to deliver an efficient and high-performing service. They have successfully implemented change or improved services for the benefit of patients. This could include developing new ways of working and shared learning.

There will be one Stockport winner and one Tameside winner in this category.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• Outstanding teamwork and collaboration
• Teams working together to support personal and professional development of members
• A flexible approach by team members
• Outstanding support and customer service that help us to achieve our vision and mission
• How their behaviour and shared approach shows their belief in our shared values.

An individual or team that has improved the quality and safety of patient care or service delivery, or has implemented an idea or new way of working which has resulted in improved practice/processes, or an initiative that saves time, money or resources.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• Impact of the initiative or new way of working
• Innovation
• How their behaviour and shared approach shows their belief in our shared values
• How or why the need to make improvement was identified
• How the change has had a positive impact on patient safety
• How the improvements were measured and will be sustained
• Ideas that can be adopted by others

An individual or team that demonstrates an effective partnership approach to delivering a service. This could include developing new ways to support our communities, collaboration in delivering services or allowing the Trust to use its resources more widely.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• How this work has supported our shared objectives values objectives and values
• Effective partnership working either between different teams or individuals within the Trust or with external partners or patients
• What the partnership set out to do
• How the partnership approach has improved a service or patient care

An individual or team of volunteers who work tirelessly and generously to give their free time, enthusiasm and energy to help improve NHS services, facilities and support for patients, visitors and their families. They show dedication and commitment to their role and make a genuine difference to others.

The judges will be looking for evidence of: 

• The individual or team being an exemplary role model for volunteering and upholding our shared values
• Significant impact of what they do on the people and service they support.
• How they have demonstrated a positive attitude, regularly contributing to the wider team.

An individual with outstanding leadership skills who inspires people to go the extra mile. Good leaders are not necessarily managers. They are innovative and value their peers while actively mentoring and encouraging people they work with. Tireless in their efforts to change the system for the benefit of all.

The judges will be looking for evidence of: 

• How their behaviour and shared approach shows their belief in our shared values.
• Excellent communication skills
• An individual’s ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve objectives.
• How barriers to change have been overcome. 
• How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion and promoted personal and professional development as part of support to their colleagues.

An individual who, early in their career, has already made a significant impact or improvement. This award recognises people who are developing, learning and showing best practice. These are the rising stars who will help us to become outstanding in all we do.

Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• How their behaviour and shared approach shows their belief in our shared values
• A commitment to professional development
• A can-do attitude and the ability to get things done
• Their impact at the Trust – at a team or wider level – how have they made improvements in their team or service and shown their potential

An individual working in any role who has made an exceptional contribution to the trust and its services, but whose work often goes unrecognised. This person shows dedication and commitment to their role and makes a genuine difference to others.

Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• How their behaviour and shared approach shows their belief in our shared values.
• Compassion and concern for the wellbeing of patients, carers or colleagues
• Being a valued member of the team – listening to and involving patients, carers or colleagues, helping them make choices and contributing
• Special qualities and their contribution not being recognised as much as they should be

A team or individual that has made a significant impact upon improving the patient experience either for an individual patient, in their work area or for the Trust as a whole. They treat people as valued individuals and strive to put the needs of others before their own, taking into account principles of equality and inclusion.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• Teams or individuals who uphold our shared values
• A demonstrable positive impact on patient experience or patient safety
• How teams or individuals used information or feedback to improve the patient experience or patient safety
• How they champion dignity and respect, treating others how they wish to be treated and promoting equality and inclusion for service outcomes

An individual or team who have supported the development of others through education and learning for the benefit of patients and colleagues. This includes clinical and support staff who can demonstrate that through education or training they have teams working together to support personal and professional development of others.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• Teams or individuals who uphold our shared values.
• The benefits that have resulted from the education and training of colleagues
• The ways in which they have championed and improved the quality and safety of patient care