National recognition for pioneering staff at UHDB who have demonstrated excellence in nursing and midwifery
Teams and colleagues from University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) have been shortlisted in three different categories at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards 2024, which recognise those who are exceeding standards in wellbeing, inclusion and development the nursing and midwifery workforce.
The Awards, which take place in November, shine a light on those excelling in nursing and midwifery, as well as the wider health and social care setting - who "go above and beyond, and set new standards of excellence in their field."
Collectively, our UHDB colleagues recognised in the awards have delivered outstanding work to help support hundreds of internationally-educated nurses receiving the best possible support as they adapt to life and a career in the NHS, and provided effective support for colleagues and our communities to support those affected by suicide as they work to achieving a 'zero-suicide society'.
Shortlisted in the categories of Best Social Responsibility Programme, Best International Recruitment Experience, and Overseas Nurse of the Year, the initiatives reflect the dedication to our core values of compassion, openness, and excellence in our organisation - and our continuing mission to deliver Exceptional Care Together.
The teams and colleagues nominated in these categories demonstrate just three examples of our ongoing commitment to transforming staff support, fostering inclusivity, and enabling professional development.
Executive Chief Nurse at UHDB, Garry Marsh, congratulated the teams and colleagues on this achievement, saying: "The shortlisting of our colleagues is well-deserved recognition for their contribution to enhancing the experience of all nurses and midwives who work across our trust.
"We are working hard to listen to our people and make UHDB a great place to work, learn and receive care. A crucial part of that is to support our colleagues' health, wellbeing and professional development - and these nominations demonstrate our unwavering commitment to this shared aim."
Suicide Prevention: Everyone’s Business
The 'Suicide Prevention - Everyone’s Business' programme, led by the Joined Up Care Derbyshire Wellbeing team, provides wellbeing support to colleagues across Derby and Derbyshire healthcare organisations including UHDB. It has been shortlisted for Best Social Responsibility Programme.
This initiative aims to combat the stigma around suicide, equip colleagues with the practical tools to intervene early, and provide lasting, sustainable change to support those affected by suicide or suicidal ideation both within our workforce and in our communities.
James Buckley, Head of Wellbeing and Workforce Health Services within the team, reflected: "We've been able to create something sustainable, that we hope will have an impact far beyond the programme itself. We wanted to create a lasting framework for prevention and support for our colleagues and our communities - not just a 'quick fix'".
Describing the programme’s approach, saying: “We recognise that suicide is not inevitable - it's preventable. This programme equips colleagues to connect meaningfully and offer support, even in the most challenging circumstances.
"Suicide is, sadly, not rare in the UK. 1 in 5 people report experiencing feelings of suicidal ideation, and it is the leading cause of death of people under the age of 35, and the biggest of men under the age of 50. As a healthcare organisation, it is in our very nature to promote positive health and wellbeing within our communities, including in our workforce - and suicide prevention forms an important part of our aims as a Wellbeing service across Derby and Derbyshire."
The initiative combines awareness campaigns, governance frameworks, and practical toolkits for suicide prevention. It has already delivered significant outcomes, and James hopes to implement more training on suicide prevention for our colleagues in 2025. The programme’s innovative resources, such as eye-catching posters and accessible training, aim to start life-saving conversations both inside and outside of the hospital setting.
“As the name of the programme indicates, it is clear that suicide prevention is everyone’s business.” James added. "You may never know it, the person you're speaking with may never know it, but we all have the ability to save someone's life - and that is this programme's inherent value. Any death by suicide is one death too many."
Looking forward to the future, and reflecting on the impact on the team and our organisation should they win in their category, James said it would "help enormously" to create awareness and further drive change on the role we can all play in preventing suicide:
“We want to inspire national action towards a zero-suicide society, and we’re proud to lead the way."
Nursing Horizons
Our Nursing Horizons programme, part of our wider International Nursing Development Programme, has been shortlisted for Best International Recruitment Experience.
Designed to support internationally-educated nurses (IENs) as they adapt to life and work in the UK, the initiative addresses key challenges such as cultural adjustment, career progression, and wellbeing - as well as making the clinical training aspect of international recruitment run as smoothly as possible, helping hundreds of new nurses from across the globe settle into UHDB and the NHS.
“The UK offers incredible opportunities for international nurses,” explained Senior Clinical Educator Lindy Garrucho, who leads the programme, “but to truly thrive, they need support that goes beyond their induction processes and the required clinical training - looking at the 'bigger picture' for each our international recruits."
This programme was developed in response to feedback from our IENs, who frequently identified career development as a key motivator in moving to the UK.
It provides tailored clinical training, coaching, and leadership workshops, as well as support on mental health and wellbeing. Since its launch, Nursing Horizons has supported hundreds of IENs, empowering them to advance into more senior roles and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect.
Lindy, herself an international recruit originally from the Philippines, drew on her own lived experience to help shape the programme.
Explaining, Lindy said that when she arrived in the UK: "it wasn't just the weather that I needed to adapt to, it was also a new system, a new culture, and a new way of working.
"I had inspirational leaders and colleagues within my team who made sure I didn't feel isolated, and took a holistic approach in their support of me - so I wanted to make sure I reflected on that, as well as the feedback of progression being a significant motivator in so many of our IENs coming to the UK in the first place."
Talented colleagues from over 100 different nations work across UHDB to support our delivery of Exceptional Care Together. Many have left their home nations to devote their careers to the service of others in our communities, bringing with them a diverse range of experiences, knowledge and skills that have benefitted the care we provide to our patients - as well as bringing diversity and cultural enrichment to our organisation.
Lindy agreed, saying: "By investing in the growth of our international colleagues, we're not just supporting their careers - we're enhancing the care we deliver to all of our patients both now and in the future by helping to retain their incredible talent that we've played a fundamental role in nurturing."
Looking to the future, Lindy hopes to include a leadership preparation programme, designed to give IENs the specific skills and confidence they need to step into more senior positions within the organisation while adhering to UHDB's mission, values and vision.
Lindy Garrucho
Lindy has also been shortlisted individually for Overseas Nurse of the Year. Originating from the Philippines, Lindy arrived at UHDB in 2018 after working in healthcare for a brief period in the Middle East - and her journey exemplifies resilience, leadership, and the power of mentorship.
As a nurse who has supported so many IENs, through her role as Senior Clinical Educator, who have followed her path through training and career development - both in Nursing Horizons and beyond - Lindy knows firsthand the challenges faced by international recruits.
Her lived experience has informed her work, helping her create a supportive environment for others. She said: “When I first arrived, I worried that my voice, varied experiences and fresh perspectives would be lost in such a large organisation - but UHDB gave me the opportunity to grow.
"Now, I dedicate my work to ensuring others have the same support I had to thrive - feeling seen, valued and the very best versions of themselves."
Lindy’s leadership extends beyond clinical education. As well as playing a leading role in developing Nursing Horizons she has organised community-driven events for international colleagues, and advocated for extensive, bespoke holistic support for our colleagues from overseas. Her work demonstrates our unwavering commitment to nurturing diverse talent and creating a compassionate workplace where everyone feels valued.
"I once heard a quote that said 'don't find a job, find a mission' and that really speaks to me and is reflected in the work I do supporting those who have followed a similar path to myself. No matter what role I'm in, I want my mission to be supporting colleagues in every way I can.
"I feel that I am the best version of myself when I'm able to empower nurses to be the best version of themselves - all for the benefit of our patients.
“This nomination is about more than my own journey,” Lindy adds. “It’s a reflection of the incredible support UHDB provides to its people. I’m proud to represent the organisation and our international nursing community.”
We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our colleagues and teams. These nominations affirm the Trust’s belief that compassionate leadership and inclusive practices are the foundations of exceptional care being delivered to our communities.