01/09/2026
The finalists for this year's Nottinghamshire Healthcare's Outstanding Service Contribution and Recognition Scheme (OSCARS) have been revealed.
For more than 23 years, the OSCARS have celebrated compassion, innovation and dedication across the Trust. The annual awards recognise colleagues and volunteers who go above and beyond to make a difference to the people who use our services, their families and each other.
This year, the Trust received an incredible number of nominations, with each one shining a light on the outstanding care, teamwork and commitment demonstrated across the Trust every day.
Following a rigorous two-phase judging process, the finalists have now been selected.
This year's OSCARS shortlist spans 11 categories, with the Lifetime Achievement Award category winner also being announced on the night.
Mark Axcell, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"The OSCARS are a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the compassion, dedication and commitment of our colleagues and volunteers across the Trust. The exceptional number of nominations this year is a testament to the incredible work taking place across our organisation every day.
"Each of our finalists has made a real difference - whether through a simple act of kindness, pioneering new approaches to care, supporting people through challenging times, or championing equality and inclusion. Their achievements demonstrate the very best of our NHS values and the difference that people can make when they put those values into action.
"I'd like to congratulate everyone who has been shortlisted and thank everyone who took the time to nominate a colleague. Reaching the OSCARS shortlist is a fantastic achievement, and I look forward to celebrating with all our finalists, colleagues and volunteers at the ceremony in November."
One of those shortlisted is Lou Wilkins, Team Leader, The Health Shop, who is a finalist in the Outstanding Care and Compassion Award category. Lou has been recognised for a simple but powerful act of compassion that made a meaningful difference to someone in need. Lou encountered a service user who had only a pair of shorts to wear, and it was very cold at the time. Without hesitation, Lou gave the woman the leggings she was wearing, swapping into something else herself, ensuring she had some additional clothing and dignity.
The team on Hercules Ward, at Hopewood, which provides intensive therapeutic support for young people experiencing severe enduring mental health difficulties, has also been shortlisted in the Outstanding Care and Compassion Award category. The team is being recognised for its outstanding dedication to creating a safe, therapeutic and nurturing environment where young people feel heard, valued and actively involved in their care. Colleagues combine compassionate clinical care with creative approaches to build trust, reduce distress and support positive engagement.
Jasmine Shah, Occupational Therapist, for the Stroke Project, is a finalist in the Unsung Hero Award Clinical category. Jasmine has been recognised for her exceptional work as an occupational therapist and outstanding commitment to patients, families and colleagues. She consistently goes above and beyond to support stroke survivors, providing compassionate, personalised rehabilitation that helps people regain confidence, independence and hope following life-changing illness.
Hasan Al-Agele, Senior Community Practitioner Physiotherapist, has been shortlisted in the Quality Improvement/Research Award category. Hasan delivers innovative work developing Neuro Active Parkinson's classes within Adult Therapy Services. After identifying an unmet need for people living with Parkinson's, Hasan secured funding and turned his idea into a weekly programme focused on improving strength, balance, confidence and independence.
Dr Hannah Carton, Forensic Psychologist, The Wells Road Centre has been recognised in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award category, for her outstanding commitment to improving care and support for neurodivergent people. As a forensic psychologist and longstanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Ambassador, Hannah has used her expertise to champion better access to assessment, treatment and reasonable adjustments for people with autism and ADHD across inpatient and community services.
The finalists will now look ahead to the OSCARS awards ceremony in November, where the winners will be announced and the achievements of colleagues celebrated.
