Shortlist announced for the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards after record number of nominations received

Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards

The only Greater Manchester-wide awards which recognises the exemplary contributions from our whole health and care workforce has announced its 2023 shortlisted nominations and the stories are as inspirational as ever.

The Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards are organised by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care and were first held in 2018. They are an opportunity to show recognition and gratitude to those working hard to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in our communities.

A record number of nominations were submitted this year – just over 530 in total, each sharing the extraordinary stories from across our employed and unwaged workforce. Nominations were submitted for 13 different categories, including Leadership, Innovation and Volunteer Champion.

Nominations have come in from across the health and care sector of all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. Many include the contribution of staff who have dedicated years to working in the sector while others showcase those making great leaps at the start of their health and care career journey. Some of the nominations detail those striving to tackle health inequalities within communities and as well as those who volunteer their own time to help improve the lives of others.

Local nominees include:

• Employer/Workplace of the Year - PossAbilities CIC, Heywood
• Innovation Champion - Digital Content Team, PossAbilities CIC, Heywood
• Volunteer Champion - Frank Grenfell, Volunteer, PossAbilities CIC, Heywood
• Community Champion - Shared Lives Carers, PossAbilities CIC, Heywood
• Wellbeing Champion - Aishah Khatun, Safe Staffing Lead, Safer Staffing Team, Rochdale Care Organisation
• Leadership award - Karen Maneely, North Network Director of Operations for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Jane Curran, Detective Chief Inspector, Strategic Mental Health Lead for Greater Manchester Police 
• Collaboration award - Mental Health joint response services across Greater Manchester (led by Karen Maneely, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Debbie Robinson, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Jane Curran, Greater Manchester Police)
• Learner of the year - Amy Wilcox-Jones, Trainee Nursing Associate, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
• Equalities Champion - Eve Hirst, Junior Doctor, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Special recognition - Jill Dodge, Administrator, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

All shortlisted nominations will be considered by a judging panel and the winners announced at a sponsored event on 13 July 2023, held in Manchester and hosted by Manchester-born TV presenter Michelle Ackerley.

Mark Fisher, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “We have had more nominations then ever for this year’s Champion Awards and each one has told of the outstanding contribution of the many people working to improve the lives of the people of Greater Manchester.

“It takes staff and volunteers from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to run our services and these awards really highlight the vital role everyone has to play.

“I’m so glad we get to honour those working so hard each and every day – congratulations and good luck to all of those who have been shortlisted.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “Seeing such a wide variety of individuals and teams shortlisted across Greater Manchester – from hospital consultants, to nurses, to dining companions and barbers – is a reminder of just how much incredible work is taking place in all corners of our health and care system.

“I’m really pleased that all of the nominees are receiving recognition for their outstanding contributions, and I look forward to meeting and celebrating them and all the people working throughout the sector at the awards ceremony in July.”