More than 300 guests, including the lucky finalists, attended the Team QEH Awards at the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn. Attendees were treated to a glitzy evening performances from local groups Theatretrain and Your Choir.
Heartwarming stories about the finalists and winners were played throughout the evening showcasing the breadth of talent at the hospital. Nominations of an unwavering commitment to patient safety, visionary leadership and innovation to deliver service improvements to ensure patient-centred care and an extraordinary team of volunteers whose dedication help to keep vital healthcare services running around the clock, made it an emotional evening of celebration.
This year saw more than 400 nominations from patients and colleagues putting forward who they felt was worthy of an award. A total of 14 awards were presented on the night, including individual recognition as well as dedicated teams.
The 2026 Team QEH Awards winners are:
Exceptional Quality of Care Award – Amy Haslam, Team Lead Physiotherapist
Rising Star Award – Corinne Steade, Registered Nursing Degree Apprentice, Rudham Ward
Leader of the Year Award – Kayleigh McCourt, Ward Sister/Charge Nurse, West Raynham Ward
Research and Innovation Award – Rudolf Duehmke, Consultant, Cardiology
The Kindness Award, sponsored by Castons Artelia Group – Nandu Vijayakumaran Nair Girija, Junior Sister/Charge Nurse, Same Day Emergency Care
The Wellness Award – Emmanuel Cabales, EPR Digital Nurse
The Fairness Award – Gina Hunt, Midwife, Community and MLBU
‘John Voaden’ Volunteer of the Year Award – Faith Hawksworth and Olivia Moore, Cardio-Respiratory Department
Working Together Award – Norfolk Blood Bikes
Clinical Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Advanced Building Project East Anglia Ltd – Falls Team
Non-Clinical Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Bidwells – Emergency Care and Medicine Operations Team
Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by R G Carter – Mick Underhill, Maintenance Technician, Mechanical Engineering
Clinical Hero Award, sponsored by Mott MacDonald – Jason Smith, Consultant, Radiology
Special Recognition Award – Esther Dorken, Head of Midwifery
Professor Lesley Dwyer, Chief Executive (CEO) of the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG) co-hosted the awards evening with Jo Segasby, Deputy Group Chief Executive and NWUHG Chief Delivery Officer.
Jo said: “We heard some inspirational nominations in all the categories at this year’s Team QEH Awards, highlighting the tremendous compassion and skill The QEH has to offer. It was truly an uplifting and heartwarming evening to be able to celebrate with these worthy winners. Congratulations to all involved.”
The final award of the night was the Special Recognition Award which, this year, was presented to Esther Dorken, Head of Midwifery.
Jo Segasby announced Esther as the award winner for this surprise acknowledgement for her drive to improve in culture and teamwork across her division.
Amongst other thing Esther has played a pivotal role in opening The QEH Maternity Triage service, helping improve safety, experience and outcomes for mothers and babies. She has championed new models of care and ensure women receive personalised support throughout their pregnancy journey.
Esther, who was shocked to be named as the surprise award winner, said: For the first time in my life I’m speechless. I’m so passionate about the care we delivery in maternity. I’m winning this for my team, it’s never just an individual that makes things happen – it’s always team work so this is a whole team award. I’ve been in the NHS for many years, and it runs through me. I love The QEH and the team I work with are just fantastic. It’s a real honour to receive this.”
Ends.
Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
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