Oxford hospital staff celebrated at OUH awards 2026

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A celebration of care and dedication has put the spotlight on health workers changing lives every day.

The Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) Staff Recognition Awards were held on Thursday, June 18, honouring outstanding staff and volunteers for their work and impact at a ceremony held at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Hosted by actress Alex Kingston, the event celebrated excellence across a wide range of roles and teams within the trust, with more than 1,900 nominations received.

Sarah Hordern, acting chair at OUH, said: "A huge well done to all the winners and finalists recognised at our annual Staff Recognition Awards.

"We always love celebrating our fantastic teams and individuals across the Trust with everyone who attended."

Awards were given in categories reflecting the trust’s core values, including excellence, compassion, respect, improvement, learning, and delivery.

Additional honours included the Patients' Choice Award, CEO's Award, and a new Rising Star Award for staff under 30.

This year's winners included the Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team for Delivery, the Sagittarius Team for Excellence, and Jay Gawali, who received the Rising Star Award.

The event was livestreamed for the first time, allowing staff, families, and community members to join in the celebration remotely.

Douglas Graham, chief executive officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "As always, we are delighted to be able to support this special evening, which always inspires and uplifts us."

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