UHSussex ‘sparkling STARS’ revealed: Our people

This award recognises exceptional contributions that improve the quality, fairness and experience of patient care celebrating those who make a clear, positive difference to outcomes and the moments that matter for patients and families.

Winner: Emma Attfield, Private Patient and Overseas Visitor Coordinator.

“Emma exemplifies Excellent Care Everywhere. From the beginning of my hysterectomy journey, Emma became far more than a coordinator. Hospital environments can feel overwhelming, but Emma approached every interaction with extraordinary empathy, kindness and understanding, always making me feel supported, valued and safe.

“She went far beyond her role, arranging photographs of the hospital environment in advance, sourcing hospital gowns for me to wash at home before admission, and coordinating adjustments with multiple teams to ensure my needs were understood and respected.

“On the day of surgery, Emma met me at the entrance, stayed with me through some of the most overwhelming moments before theatre, and remained acutely aware of my triggers throughout. She advocated for practical changes that transformed my hospital experience and ensured I felt safe, respected and cared for at every stage.

“Even after discharge, Emma continued to support me, liaising with clinical teams, arranging additional supplies for my recovery and responding whenever concerns arose. She transformed what could have been a frightening experience into one where I felt genuinely supported and hopeful.

“Emma effortlessly combines professionalism, teamwork, advocacy and profound compassion. She is an extraordinary credit to The Chichester Suite, St Richard’s Hospital and University Hospitals Sussex, and I wholeheartedly believe she deserves recognition for the life-changing difference she makes to patients every day.”

This award celebrates those who help people feel valued, develop their skills and thrive at work creating a supportive, inclusive and compassionate culture for others. 

Winner: Ali Davies, Inpatient Physiotherapist

“Ali is an exceptional Assistant Practitioner Physiotherapist who consistently goes above and beyond to deliver outstanding patient-centred care in a demanding orthopaedic setting. Alongside managing a high-volume caseload, Ali has been instrumental in developing, implementing and sustaining an innovative patient exercise group on the Broadwater hip fracture ward.

“Alli has taken a leading role in shaping this initiative, supporting the creation of a standard operating procedure, upskilling colleagues and enhancing the quality of the class through additional training. She is passionate about improving patient experience and outcomes, ensuring patients benefit not only from physical rehabilitation but also from social interaction, confidence-building and enjoyment during their recovery.

“A particularly powerful example of Ali’s dedication was their presentation at the Physiotherapy Service Development Day. As the only support worker presenting, Ali stepped outside her comfort zone to share the development and success of the Broadwater ward exercise class, highlighting the benefits for patients and encouraging colleagues to replicate the approach in other areas.

“Through additional training in exercise prescription, Ali has further enhanced the quality and effectiveness of the class, which has now become embedded within the weekly routine on the ward. Patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many benefiting from improved confidence, engagement and wellbeing during their recovery.

“Beyond their direct impact on patients, Ali has inspired colleagues across the physiotherapy team and wider AHP workforce, demonstrating that innovation and improvement are achievable regardless of role or experience. Her work is already influencing wider practice, with plans to expand similar exercise classes across the Trust. Ali’s compassion, initiative and commitment to continuous improvement make them truly deserving of this recognition.”

This award recognises the work to improve access, trust and outcomes for underserved or marginalised groups which strengthens community partnerships and reduces health inequalities. 

Winner: Dr Amy Adams, doctor

“I am nominating Amy because she consistently goes above and beyond to advocate for some of the most marginalised and vulnerable children in our care. In the Emergency Department, she works tirelessly to ensure children and young people with complex social, emotional and safeguarding needs are listened to, involved in decisions about their care and receive the support and compassion they deserve. 

“One example that stands out involved two vulnerable young people who could not be safely discharged. Amy took the time to understand and advocate for a 16-year-old patient’s wishes during multi-agency discussions, while also identifying serious safeguarding concerns for a 13-year-old patient with a history of previous child protection concerns. 

“Despite numerous obstacles, delays and difficulties obtaining information from multiple agencies, Amy persisted in escalating concerns, coordinating discussions and ensuring the children’s needs were recognised. Rather than accepting barriers or assuming someone else would take responsibility, she continued to advocate until appropriate action was taken. 

“Amy has changed the way many of us think about caring for children and young people with complex mental health, safeguarding and social needs. She consistently reminds colleagues that these patients deserve the same dignity, compassion and advocacy as any other child in our care and encourages us to look beyond the immediate presentation to consider the wider context of a child’s life, experiences and safety. 

“Amy demonstrates what it means to be a truly patient-centred advocate. She is willing to challenge systems, persist through frustration and invest the time needed to achieve the right outcome for vulnerable children. The difference she makes is felt not only by the children she supports but also by the colleagues she inspires every day.”

This award honours innovation, research and digital transformation that prepare UHSussex for tomorrow celebrating those who turn forward‑thinking ideas into sustainable improvements for patients, staff and communities. 

Winner: Research Education and Clinical Academic Research Fellowship Programme.

“Recognising that a strong research culture improves patient care, this team has created new opportunities for nurses, doctors, midwives, pharmacists, allied health professionals and support staff to contribute to research as part of everyday clinical practice.

“Despite research education being only a small part of their daily roles, the team has delivered an impressive range of initiatives, including integrating research into clinical development programmes, developing a research education hub, establishing research link roles and student placements, creating a clinical academic research fellowship programme, and building regional partnerships to support research training and development.

“Through their determination, collaboration and ability to secure funding, they have transformed opportunities for staff across UHSussex to develop research skills and pursue clinical academic careers. Their fellowship programme provides research training, mentoring and peer support, empowering staff to improve clinical practice through research and innovation.

“The impact of their work can be seen in projects that are improving patient care, influencing national practice and supporting staff development. They have helped colleagues build confidence as researchers, develop new skills, publish findings and contribute to improvements in healthcare both locally and nationally.

“By engaging, supporting and developing clinical staff, this team is helping to change the research culture at UHSussex and inspire the next generation of research leaders. Their work is improving care, creating new career opportunities and strengthening the future of research across the Trust.”

This award celebrates teams who collaborate across boundaries to deliver seamless, joined‑up care. It recognises groups who share ownership, communicate openly and achieve outstanding results through collective effort. 

Winner: ED & Acute Digitisation Programme Team

“I would like to nominate the ED & Acute Digitisation Programme Team for the Excellent Care Together Award in recognition of the remarkable collaboration, professionalism and dedication shown in delivering one of the Trust’s most significant digital transformation programmes.

“Since July 2025, the team has brought together clinical, operational, digital and technical colleagues to introduce digital observations and electronic prescribing across emergency and acute care services. These changes have improved how information is captured, shared and used, supporting safer patient care and better operational efficiency.

“The programme has delivered complex integrations between clinical systems and medical devices, enabling vital signs to be recorded electronically with automated alerts for deteriorating patients, while digital prescribing replaces paper drug charts with allergy checks, medication alerts and safer medicines management.

“This achievement has only been possible through exceptional teamwork from colleagues across Digital Nursing, Digital Medicines, Applications Management, Integration, End User Computing, Clinical Engineering, Data Management and frontline clinical services. When challenges emerged, teams worked together to identify, test and implement solutions rapidly, often within days, while providing extensive support to colleagues during go-live periods.

“The scale of the achievement is reflected in the results. During the first week following the PRH go-live, more than 3,000 medicines were administered and over 1,000 sets of observations were recorded digitally. In the first ten days at RSCH, staff completed nearly 4,000 sets of observations and prescribed more than 16,400 medications electronically.

“Through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to improving care, the team has delivered lasting benefits for both patients and staff, making care safer, more timely and better connected across our urgent and emergency care services.”

This award recognises people who consistently show kindness, empathy and respect in every interaction. It celebrates those who make others feel safe, supported and cared for when it matters most. 

Winner: Oliver Thriscutt, Senior Healthcare Assistant

“We would like to nominate Oliver Thriscutt for the Compassion in Action Award in recognition of his consistent dedication to kindness, empathy and respect in every interaction with patients, families and colleagues.

“Oliver has an exceptional ability to build trusting relationships with patients, helping them feel reassured, safe and supported in his care. One patient who was often frustrated and reluctant to engage with staff developed such trust in Oliver that he would take medication and allow observations when supported by him. Through Oliver’s encouragement, the patient gradually began to trust and engage with other members of the team as well.

“Oliver is proactive in recognising what patients need and offers help with genuine kindness, confidence and compassion. Patients frequently seek him out because they know he will listen, support and treat them with dignity and respect. His emotional intelligence and ability to understand patients’ psychological needs are truly exceptional.

“His compassion is matched by his professionalism and attention to detail. Oliver is highly observant, quickly recognising changes in patients’ conditions and escalating concerns appropriately. Colleagues regularly seek his advice and value his insight into patients’ progress and wellbeing.

“Since joining the team, Oliver has made a significant positive impact on both patients and colleagues. He consistently demonstrates the very best of compassionate care and is a role model whose kindness, dedication and professionalism make a lasting difference every day.”

This award honours colleagues who ensure all voices are heard and included in decisions and conversations recognising those who actively seek out quieter or lesser‑heard perspectives to improve care and culture. 

Winner: Sam Elliott-Olechnowicz, Senior Multi-Professional Practice Educator

“I am nominating Sam Elliott-Olechnowicz for his exceptional commitment to ensuring all voices, particularly those that are often under-represented, are heard, valued and celebrated.

“Through his leadership and creativity, Sam has created meaningful opportunities for international colleagues to share their experiences, helping to build a more inclusive, understanding and compassionate culture across the Trust.

“A powerful example of his impact is the creation of The International Care Collective (ICC) podcast. Recognising that many overseas colleagues have inspiring stories but limited opportunities to share them, Sam developed a platform to amplify their voices and highlight the journeys of NHS staff from around the world.

“The podcast has attracted thousands of subscribers and was commissioned for a second series through NHS England’s #StayandThrive programme. More importantly, it has created a sense of connection, recognition and pride among international colleagues while helping others better understand their experiences.

“By elevating the voices of international staff, Sam has helped colleagues feel seen, valued and recognised for both their professional contributions and personal journeys. His work has encouraged greater empathy, stronger inclusion and a deeper appreciation of diversity, reinforcing that every individual’s story and perspective matters.”

This award celebrates those who use curiosity, feedback and data to drive continuous improvement. They test ideas, learn from experience and help create a culture of openness and progress. 

Winner: WID-Easy Pilot Team

“Over more than six months, the team have worked tirelessly to lead the service evaluation, gain the support of the wider gynaecology team and successfully recruit almost 500 women to take part in the study. Their commitment, professionalism and passion for improving patient care were instrumental in the success of the project.

“The WID-Easy test offers a less invasive alternative to current investigations for women experiencing post-menopausal bleeding, with the potential to significantly improve patient experience while supporting faster and more efficient diagnostic pathways. Early results have shown high levels of sensitivity and specificity, with further analysis expected to demonstrate additional benefits for patients, staff and services.

“By championing innovation and research, Bronwyn and Roz have helped position UHSussex at the forefront of women’s health improvement. Their work has the potential to transform care for women who find current diagnostic procedures difficult or painful, while supporting more effective and efficient services in the future. Their dedication to improving outcomes and experiences for patients makes them highly deserving of this recognition.”

This award recognises colleagues who take responsibility, see things through and deliver meaningful impact. They act early, follow through reliably and turn challenges into tangible improvements. 

Winner: Marie Castro-Gonzalez, Children and Young Peoples Diabetes Nurse Specialist

“Marie has transformed both the Children’s Diabetes Service and the lives of the children and families it supports. Through her expertise, leadership and passion for improving care, she has eliminated waiting times for insulin pump therapy and significantly improved access to life-changing diabetes technology.

“Marie independently undertook hundreds of insulin pump starts, clearing a six-month backlog and ensuring children could access pump therapy much sooner. This involved coordinating prescriptions, delivering training for families, providing follow-up support and working with schools to ensure children were fully supported in education settings.

“She also led the transition of children to the Omnipod 5 Hybrid Closed Loop system, completing 81 pump transitions in 2023 and a further 104 in 2024. This technology has had a transformative impact on glucose management, confidence, independence and wellbeing for children and their families, helping the team become one of the highest users of Hybrid Closed Loop technology in the South Coast Network.

“Alongside her direct patient care, Marie has invested heavily in developing the wider team, training and mentoring colleagues so that all nurses within the service can now independently undertake pump starts. Her leadership has strengthened the capability, resilience and sustainability of the service while empowering colleagues with confidence and new skills.

“Marie is an exceptionally compassionate and dedicated children’s nurse whose kindness, encouragement and expertise have made a lasting difference to patients, families and colleagues alike. Her work has transformed access to diabetes technology, improved patient outcomes and strengthened the service for the future.”

This award recognises someone early in their career who shows exceptional promise, enthusiasm and impact. They bring fresh energy, embrace learning and make a meaningful difference from the start.

Winner: Dr Anna Larkin, Doctor

“Anna is an exceptional doctor whose kindness, compassion, professionalism and enthusiasm make a huge difference to patients, families and colleagues. Since joining the team, she has developed outstanding clinical knowledge and skills while remaining humble, approachable and committed to continuous learning.

“Anna has built a phenomenal rapport with children and parents, providing compassionate care even in the most challenging circumstances. She consistently goes above and beyond to support patients and families, showing maturity and empathy well beyond what would normally be expected at this stage of training.

“A passionate advocate for learning and development, Anna has independently led a highly organised teaching programme for resident doctors, involving colleagues from across the multidisciplinary team. Her sessions have received excellent feedback and have helped improve practice across the department, while her enthusiasm has encouraged others to engage with learning opportunities and professional development.

“One particularly memorable example of her dedication was her support of a family whose child had been diagnosed with lymphoma. Anna took the opportunity to learn, support the family and follow up on the patient’s care, later using the experience to help educate her peers. Her commitment to improving care and sharing learning exemplifies her professionalism and compassion.

“Anna is an outstanding role model who inspires colleagues through her positivity, dedication and genuine desire to help others. She is a valued member of the team and a future leader in paediatrics, making her highly deserving of this recognition.”

The winner of this award is selected from Star of the Month winners, honouring those who have consistently exemplified the very best of UHSussex with their contribution, compassion and excellence.

Winner: Critical Care Team at Worthing Hospital

“When my 24-year-old son Billy was admitted to Worthing Hospital ITU in November 2020 after taking MDMA, the care he received was exceptional. During one of the most difficult times of our lives, the team not only fought tirelessly to save him, seeking advice from specialist centres and exploring every possible treatment option, but also showed incredible compassion to our family, supporting us with kindness, reassurance and countless small acts of care. 

“Although Billy sadly passed away following transfer to a specialist London hospital, the support from the ITU team did not end there. They continued to help us in our efforts to educate young people about the dangers of recreational drugs, contributing to awareness campaigns, supporting educational resources and engaging with community initiatives inspired by Billy’s story. 

“Over the years, the team has continued to welcome and support our family, demonstrating kindness and compassion far beyond their clinical roles. Their care during our darkest moments, and their ongoing commitment to helping others, has made a lasting impact and is a true example of going above and beyond.”

This award is chosen by My Charity and honours a fundraiser or contributor whose generosity has fundamentally enhanced patient care.

Winner: Darren and Tracey, in honour of their son, Ethan.

Sam O’Mahoney, Head of Funds Assurance and Operations at My Charity, collected the award on behalf of Darren and Tracey on the evening.

“Darren and Tracey Roberts have been supporting the Trevor Mann Baby Unit for 18 years, raising more than £6,000 through regular giving, organising fundraising events and reaching out to friends and family.

“Their dedication and fundraising have made a real difference to the care provided on the unit, helping us to introduce new feeding pumps to some of our youngest and most vulnerable patients.

“These state-of-the art pumps enable medication and fluids to be administered safely, accurately and efficiently, supporting our commitment to the Trust’s strategy of Excellent Care Everywhere.

“My Charity is incredibly grateful to Darren and Tracey for their continued generosity and dedication to supporting our patients, families and staff.”

This award recognises a team that has created a culture of openness, trust and teamwork. By welcoming different viewpoints, encouraging honest conversations and learning together, the team has helped colleagues feel confident to share their ideas and play a part in making positive changes for patients, staff and services.

Winner: Portering Team Trust-wide

“This team has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving services for patients, visitors and colleagues. Working collaboratively with management, they have embraced changes to working practices and helped implement improvements that are already delivering benefits across Trust sites.

“One example is their proactive approach to ensuring wheelchairs and Zimmer frames are readily available in reception and discharge areas. Rather than waiting to be called when equipment is needed, porters now actively recover and return equipment, improving availability and reducing delays for patients.

“What is particularly impressive is the way the team has positively embraced change, openly sharing ideas and helping to shape service improvements. In some areas, colleagues were so confident in the benefits of the new approach that they began adopting changes ahead of their formal launch, recognising the positive impact they would have on patients and the service.

“The team is now working more collaboratively across sites, sharing best practice, remaining productively engaged throughout their shifts and continually looking for ways to improve patient flow and the patient experience. Their professionalism, adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement demonstrate what Excellent Care, Everywhere looks like in practice.”