Honour your NHS star with a People’s Choice Award nomination

The People's Choice Award is back for 2026, and members of the public are invited to nominate local NHS staff and volunteers for the prestigious award.

This year the award is extra special, as members of the public can nominate staff from both Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals and Bridgewater Community Healthcare.  

The nomination is your chance to say the biggest thank you to someone who has gone the extra mile to provide remarkable care at Warrington and Halton Hospitals or at one of Bridgewater’s community locations. 

The judging panel want to hear your stories about a person or team that has made a positive difference to your healthcare experience over the past 12 months.

Last year, Louise Foley, specialist nurse (colorectal team), received the prestigious accolade. Louise’s nomination celebrated her inspirational commitment to supporting patients throughout their cancer journey, going above and beyond to help patients and their families to understand their diagnosis and navigate uncertain times. The nomination praised Louise for being “an absolute rock” during a patient’s cancer diagnosis and treatment with her emotional support and positivity shining through at every stage of the journey. 

Nominations for 2025-26 are now open and can be made by completing this form. 

The closing date for entries is Friday 9 January 2026.

This year winners will be honoured at the first joint Thank You Awards ceremony taking place at the Titanic Hotel, Liverpool on Friday 16 May. The awards mark an important milestone as the two trusts join forces from April 2026, subject to necessary approvals, to become one single organisation known as North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust. 

Along with the People’s Choice Award, 11 other trophies are set to be presented on the night including Clinical Team of the Year, Rising Star Award and a number of awards dedicated to hospital, community and charity heroes. 

The special People’s Choice Award is the only category that is available for public nomination.

Nikhil Khashu, chief executive of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome the People’s Choice Award back for its third year. It is fantastic that this special recognition is now open for both Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals and Bridgewater Community Healthcare. 

“Our annual Thank You Awards are an incredibly inspiring and memorable occasion, celebrating the incredible work our staff do to provide compassionate care across Warrington, Halton and the surrounding areas. This memorable evening provides an important space for us to reflect and recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of our teams and recognise colleagues whose outstanding care, professionalism and innovation helps to shape the very best patient experience and outcomes in our hospitals and communities.   

“We are appealing to readers of the Warrington Guardian/Runcorn and Widnes World to nominate staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond for this special award. 

“Any of our staff members or volunteers can be considered for the award and it doesn’t matter how you have received care. Your experience may have been during a routine appointment at one of our clinics or community hubs, or even in your own home.  All nominations will be considered by our judging panel and are gratefully received.”

More than 300 members of staff and invited guests attended last year’s event, which is held at no cost to the NHS thanks in part to support from local businesses and corporate partners.

The Trust would also like to hear from local businesses that may be interested in supporting the event as a sponsor. For further enquiries email whh.thankyouawards@nhs.net or call 01925 662993.

For more information on the Better Care Together integration programme of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals and Bridgewater Community Healthcare, visit NHS North Cheshire and Mersey Partnership.