Mini Tent 2025

Elaine has received not one, but three heartfelt nominations in recognition of her unwavering dedication and kindness. Her presence at Cheam Priory is a source of strength and reassurance—always ready to lend a hand, offer support, and ensure things run smoothly. Her colleagues describe her as:

• Helpful and supportive, always going the extra mile at Cheam Priory.
• A valuable member of the continence team, whose contributions make a real difference.
• Friendly, caring, and compassionate, consistently showing up for others with warmth and reliability.

Elaine’s impact is felt deeply by those around her, and her commitment to care and teamwork deserves to be celebrated. Thank you, Elaine, for being such a vital part of the service and for embodying the spirit of compassion every day.

Congratulations, Elaine!

This is an incredible team that consistently demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and hard work in everything they do.

They have received outstanding feedback from patients across all areas of their service, including exercise classes, clinics, and home visits. Patients frequently highlight not only the high standard of care provided but also the encouragement and positivity that the team brings to every interaction.

Working seamlessly together, the team supports each other to ensure the very best outcomes for patients. Their positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and willingness to help wherever needed make them a true example of effective multidisciplinary working.

The results achieved by the Maximising Independence Service speak for themselves, with excellent patient outcomes that genuinely change lives. This is a highly valuable and worthwhile service that makes a meaningful difference to the health and independence of so many patients, and the team is thoroughly deserving of recognition as Team of the Year.

Well done team!

Lisa consistently goes above and beyond for her patients. She does it so often, and with such humility, that she may not even realise how exceptional her efforts truly are—what she sees as routine is, in fact, extraordinary.

Lisa regularly works with some of our most complex patients, particularly those with deteriorating neurological conditions. In every case, she brings not only clinical expertise but also deep kindness and compassion. She takes the time to truly understand each patient as an individual—identifying both the big and small things that matter most to them.

She is proactive in seeking support and exploring every available avenue to ensure those needs are met. The feedback from her patients speaks volumes and reflects the genuine impact of her care.
Lisa is a quiet force of excellence, and her dedication makes a profound difference.

Quotes from patients: 

‘Thank you again for all your wonderful help and support. I’ve been humbled and heartened by the work you do, and have done, and the team.  I know you might say you’re just doing your job, but for my wife and I it doesn’t feel like that’ 

She dealt with a patient who was in an immediate mental health crisis calmly, sympathetically and with kindness.  He later wrote that she was a 'Very Understanding Neuro OT' and described her as a "One of only a Select Few in my Neurodiverse Understanding Squad"

Congratulations, Lisa!

This year, the Sutton Infant Feeding Team has raised the bar in innovation and community support. Their dedication to promoting and sustaining breastfeeding in Sutton has led to the launch of two impactful initiatives:

• Breast Pump Loan Scheme: Through a successful community fund application, the team secured funding to purchase breast pumps, which are loaned to mothers free of charge. Since April, this initiative has supported 18 families, each benefiting from weeks of use—making a real difference in their breastfeeding journeys.
  
  
• Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme: Currently in development, this scheme will recognise coffee shops and local businesses that actively support breastfeeding, helping to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for families across Sutton.

Congratulations to the team for this well-deserved recognition!

Gary Parker stands out as a shining example of dedication, empathy, and team spirit. Whether he's sharing football stories to connect with male residents or simply taking the time to listen, Gary brings heart and humanity to every shift.

Engaging and relatable, Gary uses his love of football to build trust and rapport with residents, creating a warm and inclusive environment.

He consistently goes above and beyond to support the Reablement Unit, never hesitating to step in where needed. 

His compassion, reliability, and genuine care make him an integral member of the team and a deserving recipient of this recognition.

Congratulations Gary!

Louise is a paediatric nurse by background, and has been a qualified health visitor for two years. She is a highly valued member of our team in Carshalton.

She quickly adapted to our ways of working after training elsewhere, especially during a period of significant staff shortages. She immediately took initiative, consolidating her learning, managing her own caseload, and even single-handedly managing the team's caseload for a time.

Last year, Louise supported a health visitor student as a Practice Supervisor and is now taking on the role of Practice Assessor. This not only aids her professional development but also contributes to growing Sutton's health visitor workforce. She has also recently begun her Master's degree.

Louise consistently manages a busy caseload, frequently oversees the team's caseload, and provides support to other health visitors who are relatively new to the field. She approaches all her responsibilities with a positive attitude, demonstrating kindness, care, and compassion toward both her clients and families, as well as her colleagues. It has been a pleasure to witness her growth; she has achieved a remarkable level of success at a young age, and I am confident she will continue to excel.

Congratulations Louise!

Clare Belsham demonstrates what it means to be an outstanding manager. Her approach to management is rooted in fairness, professionalism, and deep empathy—qualities that have made a lasting impact on her team.

Clare fosters psychological safety, creating a positive and supportive environment where dietitians feel empowered to thrive. She strikes a perfect balance between professionalism and compassion, ensuring that every team member feels heard, respected, and valued.

Her leadership style encourages open communication, trust, and collaboration, making her not just a manager, but a mentor and role model.
Clare’s dedication to her team’s wellbeing and growth has not gone unnoticed. Her thoughtful leadership continues to inspire excellence.

Congratulations, Clare!

Karen Bollard has led a transformative Quality Improvement (QI) initiative that has significantly enhanced the pathway of investigations and referrals from MSK SHC Advanced Practitioners. Her project, developed following the GESH QI course, now serves as a model for other QI initiatives, sparking a wave of development across the service.

By applying insights from the GESH QI course, Karen has shown how education and leadership can drive meaningful change.

Congratulations, Karen!

This award, in memory of our colleague Linda Udeagbala, celebrates those who go above and beyond to create meaningful, empowering, and enriching experiences for students, as voted for by the students:

Team Award: Central Team (Managed by Anna Sergejeva)
The Central Sutton Team has shown outstanding commitment to student development by providing structure, support, and autonomy. From personalised schedules to opportunities for handover and leading visits, they’ve ensured students feel prepared, trusted, and exposed to a wide range of clinical experiences. Their thoughtful approach has created a truly well-rounded learning environment.

Individual Award: Rita Okyere-Darko
Rita’s mentorship has been nothing short of transformative. She consistently checks in on student progress, offers encouragement rooted in her own journey, and empowers others to succeed. Her support has helped build confidence, sharpen communication skills, and inspire students to give their best. Rita embodies the spirit of compassionate and impactful teaching.

Specialist Team Award: Virtual Ward
The Virtual Ward team welcomed students with enthusiasm and offered hands-on learning opportunities during patient assessments. Their openness and teamwork created a supportive atmosphere where students could actively contribute and gain valuable insight into clinical practice. Their collaborative spirit and eagerness to teach made the experience truly memorable.

Congratulations to all the winners

This year award, in memory of our colleague, Siobhan Williams, honours Siobhan's passion for patient care and her unwavering determination to improve the lives of patients. 

This year, we are proud to honour Reshma Raghoonanan, whose work reflects Siobhan’s legacy.

Reshma consistently goes above and beyond for her Heart Failure patients, ensuring they receive the highest standard of care. Her support extends beyond her own service—she regularly steps in to assist the District Nursing team during urgent times, showing true teamwork and selflessness.

Known for her supportive and caring nature, Reshma is a deeply respected member of SHC, admired by colleagues and patients alike. Reshma’s dedication, empathy, and tireless efforts make her the ideal recipient of this award. 

Congratulations Reshma!