VIP Awards

The VIP Awards recognises all UHP staff members who have shown the Trust’s core values through their work.

Eligibility criteria:

• All full and part-time staff, apprentices and staff on Fixed Term Contracts working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
• Must not be going through a disciplinary action or process

You could nominate someone for a VIP Award because they:

• Communicate openly, transparently and with integrity;
• Support people to thrive and champion the wellbeing and success of others;
• Recognise, respect and celebrate people's differences;
• Stay calm and remain focused when the unexpected happens;
• Listen and communicate thoughtfully;
• Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of others;
• Speak up when something does not seem or feel right to them;
• Seek out, listen and learn from people with different perspectives and experiences;
• Are open to change new idea, and exploring different ways of working.

 

Nomination Criteria

Nominees must be able to display UHP's Core Values. Below is how a member of staff may demonstrate the values.

Our values are:

• We put people first
• We take ownership
• We respect and value others
• We are compassionate
• We listen, learn and improve

In action, the Trust values look like this:

• We give feedback kindly and directly;
• We take time to look after ourselves and others;
• We are kind and civil without words and actions;
• We listen to each other with curiosity;
• We try to be helpful;
• We listen to understand not to reply;
• When someone does something well, we say so;
• We speak up if something does not seem right;
• We believe everyone is doing their best.

The values are important, from the Trust board, to each and everyone of us, to help develop the culture of our organisation.

How to make a nomination

Nominees for the VIP Awards are for individuals who are being recognised for their work at the Trust.

Please ensure that the nominee's name is written in full in order for the VIP Awards team to correctly identify who you are nominating.

Additionally, if you need inspiration on how to write your nomination, below shows some good examples of entries that have been submitted.

You can nominate a member of staff using an online form below:

 

 

How the winners are selected and notified

The judging committee, made up of representatives across multiple departments at UHP will receive the nominations on a monthly basis and will select their VIP by assessing the entries.

Rewards

When are the awards presented?

The winners will be presented with an award by a member of the Senior Leadership Team in the winner’s area of work or department. The winners will also be featured on Daily Email, Friday Five, social media and will be displayed on an archive of winners on the plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk website.

Winners of the VIP Awards will also be rewarded with a VIP package of their choosing.

Note: these are entries that we have received, but in order to keep the nominee's anonymity, we have removed their name.

Example 1:

Their with over two decades of service at our Trust, is a shining example of healthcare excellence. My nomination is grounded in their profound commitment to core values and qualities that define exceptional healthcare professionals.

Their transparent and honest communication fosters trust and reliability within our teams. They are a mentor who tirelessly supports the well-being and professional growth of their colleagues and teams, championing their success. Their ability to listen thoughtfully and communicate effectively enhances patient care and teamwork. They readily acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of others, nurturing a culture of appreciation.

Beyond this, their openness to change and innovation is inspiring. They actively seeks diverse perspectives and embraces new ideas, enriching our healthcare community with a fresh approach.

What sets them apart is their genuine appreciation for diversity. They recognises, respects, and celebrates the differences among individuals, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

In times of crisis, their unwavering composure is a pillar of strength. They remains focused when the unexpected occurs, providing stability and reassurance to patients and colleagues alike.

They are not just a nurse; they are a patient advocate who speaks up when something isn't right. Their commitment to patient safety and quality care is unwavering.

In summary, they embody the Trust values. They are a role model and a vital asset to the Trust. I would like to nominate them as a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding contributions to our teams on day-to-day basis.

Example 2:

They have has been with the trust working in Obs and Gynae theatres since freedom fields. I have had the pleasure of working with them on nights in Maternity for a number of years. All the time I have worked with them, they have been an inspiration. They always give 100 % and it is an honour to see how they not only conducts themselves, but the way they uphold the trust values and works to distill this in new comers. They are always a pleasure to work with and even in stressful situations as we can encounter in Obstetrics, they act calmly, methodically and sincerely. They have an abundance of knowledge which she openly shares and works to pass onto less experienced members of staff.

More recently, they have used their spare time and volunteered to work with bereaved parents to help regenerate to garden of remembrance for those that have lost their new borns. Obtaining some funding and and donations from local businesses to repair and replant to make the garden a welcoming place away from the main hospital to take some quiet time to remember those taken too soon.

Working nights, I feel staff are sometimes forgotten about. I feel strongly about recommending them as they are an absolute inspiration and someone I admire and strive to be like. Please consider this nomination as I know there will be others that feel they are a well deserved receiver of such recognition.

Would you like to nominate a member of staff that is a Bank Member of NHS Professionals for University Hospitals Plymouth?

They have relaunched the Bank Member of the Month Award and has been running for several years but we have given it a refresh in order for more Bank Members to be recognised for their contribution to their Trust and the wider NHS.

Vote for the Bank Member of the Month here.

Recognising those nominated:

• Every Bank Member that receives a nomination will now receive a certificate of thanks.
• Out of all of the nominations, a top nomination from each Trust will be selected by the NHS Professionals Marketing team. The winner in each Trust will receive a certificate and pin badge, which will say 'Bank Member of The Month' and has the icon on a white badge.
• We will also have two overall Bank Member of the Month winners, one for the North and one for the South region. The top nominations from both regions will be sent to an Account Director based in that region to pick a winner. This winner will receive a £100 Love2Shop Voucher, thank you card, certificate and pin badge, which will have gold edging and the word 'winner' on it in gold.

Say thank you

Say Thank You and Learn from Excellence is a way for staff and patients to say thank you and show appreciation for something a member of staff or team has done well.

If you would you like to thank a member of staff, or want to recognise a colleague for their exceptional work, you can do so here:

SAY THANK YOU

Double Win for Site Services Staff at the VIP Awards

June 2025

Two outstanding members of the Trust have been presented with VIP Awards in recognition of their exceptional commitment, compassion, and service to patients and families.

Debbie Veale, a domestic staff member on one of our wards, received the award following heartfelt praise from a family member of a terminally ill patient. Debbie was described as a pillar of kindness and support during an incredibly difficult time.

Her nominator said: “Debbie’s compassion and presence meant so much to our family.” “She made an unbearable experience more bearable with her warmth and understanding. We’ll never forget the difference she made.”

Debbie had already been recognised as the Star of Site Services, and her VIP Award serves as further testament to the profound impact of her empathy and professionalism.

Rob Ashby, a Site Services Security Officer, was also recognised with a VIP Award for his courageous and compassionate response to a critical mental health emergency. Rob calmly de-escalated a high-risk situation involving a patient in severe distress, ultimately helping to save her life.

His nominator described Rob’s actions as “life-saving and deeply human,” adding that his response not only protected the patient but brought comfort and reassurance to her family.

Rob’s actions previously earned him the Star of Site Services award, and his VIP recognition highlights the power of empathy, calm under pressure, and dedication in the most challenging circumstances.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Jo Page receives VIP Award

March 2025

A heartfelt nomination from a grateful patient has recognised Dr Jo Page, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP), for her outstanding dedication to patient-centred care. As a result, Dr Page has been honoured with a VIP Award—UHP’s flagship recognition scheme celebrating colleagues who go above and beyond in their roles. Dr Page was nominated by patient Deirdre, who credits her consultant for not only delivering exceptional medical care but also for providing unwavering support through a life-changing procedure.

On receiving the award, Dr Page said: “It was a huge surprise to win a Values in Practice (VIP) award, and an even greater surprise to find the chief executive and my colleagues hiding in a delivery room. It really is lovely to receive appreciation from a patient and the trust.”

“As clinicians we all too easily forget the cases and interactions that go well, but not those that don’t. I feel it’s a reflection of our training and the standards we expect from ourselves. So it is a wonderfully positive initiative from the trust to introduce these awards, so that we can actually spend a little of our day thinking about what went well, rather than what did not.”

 

Lead Cancer Nurse Practitioner Anna Wilson wins VIP Award

October 2024

Anna Wilson, Lead Cancer Nurse Practitioner at UHP has been presented with UHP’s latest ViP Award, for being “a shiny beacon of the Trust’s core values”.

Anna received a nomination from her colleague Charlotte Burgoyne, Clinical Admin Manager, who highlighted that Anna is an inspiration for all future nurses who has brought about many positive changes for urology patients, in particular, by taking on clinics to cut cancer waiting times for prostate cancer patients to help reach 2-week-wait targets.”

In her nomination, Charlotte added: “Anna is everything a nurse and leader should be. She is a tower of strength, a listening ear and a champion of our wellbeing and the wellbeing of patients. She is a shiny beacon of the Trust’s core values.”

Anna thanked her colleagues for recognising her hard work in providing support for the Radiotherapy team, particularly during some really challenging times over the last year. “Thank you! This is very unexpected, and you all caught me by surprise today,” she said. “I’m really lucky, because we have a really amazing team, and I don’t think I could do half of what I do without the team. We’re very fortunate that we look after each other. Now that we have got the new unit, hopefully, we can continue to make things better for our patients.”

Clinical Lead Radiographer Amy Warlow becomes UHP’s first VIP Award winner

December 2023

Amy Warlow, Clinical Lead Radiographer at UHP, is the first recipient of the Trust’s VIP Awards.

The nominations were made live towards the end of September, and the first set of nominations were received by the judging panel at the end of October, with Amy received a staggering 9 nominations submitted for her.

One of these submissions, stated: “Amy is a true example of someone that goes above and beyond every day. She uses the trust values in her practice and encourages us as a larger team to do the same. This has resulted in a better working environment for us all and ensures that we are able to work better together in the challenges we face daily.”

The VIP Award judging panel has also commended her work through her nominations, with one commenting: “Her wealth of knowledge must be an asset to her colleagues and patients. Treating people as individuals and with respect is so important.”

Amy was joined by her whole department as she was presented with the VIP Awards and thanked her colleagues for recognising her hard work in providing support for the Radiotherapy team, particularly during some really challenging times over the last year.

She continues to say: “The team is made up of fantastic individuals including Radiographers, Physicists, Planners, Engineers, consultants, administrative staff, and support workers. Who all work tirelessly to support every patient who passes through our doors, without the whole team we couldn’t do what we do.”

“I am extremely grateful to each member of the team who took the time to nominate me for a VIP award and it really does mean so much to have been awarded it. Thank you to everyone.”