Nominate your NHS hero for the gesh CARE awards
Say thank you to the people who made a difference
Have you or a loved one received outstanding care from St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, Sutton Health and Care, or Surrey Downs Health and Care?
The gesh CARE awards are our annual celebration of the incredible people who care for patients across our hospitals and community services. They recognise colleagues who go above and beyond every day to make a difference to the lives of patients, families and carers.
The Public Choice Award for Outstanding Care gives patients, families and carers the opportunity to recognise someone who has made a lasting impact on their experience.
Whether it’s a nurse who showed exceptional kindness, a doctor who went the extra mile, a porter who brightened a difficult day, a volunteer who offered support when it was needed most, or a whole team who worked together to provide outstanding care, we’d love to hear your story.
Nominations are now open until 12 July.
The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the Kia Oval, where hundreds of colleagues will come together to celebrate the very best of gesh.
Importantly, not one penny of NHS funding is spent on these awards, which are generously supported by our hospital charities and local businesses.
Watch Umer’s story, thanking Sophie Jones, Stoma Nurse at St George’s Hospital, which won our Outstanding Care award last year.
Who can I nominate?
Anyone who works or volunteers across our Group can be nominated, including:
- Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals
- Therapists and community teams
- Healthcare assistants
- Porters, cleaners and catering teams
- Receptionists and administrators
- Volunteers
- Entire wards, departments or teams
How to write a great nomination
You have up to 500 words to tell us why your chosen colleague or team deserves recognition.
Don’t worry about writing something perfect. The most powerful nominations are often the simplest and most heartfelt.
Tell us what happened
Describe what the person or team did that stood out.
Instead of:
“They were really caring.”
Try:
“They took time every day to explain what was happening and made me feel less frightened during my treatment.”
Explain the difference they made
Think about the impact they had on you, your family or your care.
Ask yourself:
- How did they help?
- How did they make you feel?
- What would have been different without them?
Share a specific example
Stories help bring nominations to life.
Perhaps they:
- Stayed late to support you
- Took extra time to listen
- Solved a problem when you were worried
- Worked together as a team during a difficult situation
- Showed exceptional kindness or compassion
Write from the heart
You don’t need formal language or medical terms.
Imagine you’re telling a friend why this person deserves to be recognised.
Focus on these four questions
A great nomination often answers:
- What did they do?
- How did they do it?
- What difference did it make?
- Why was it so memorable?
Every nomination matters
For many colleagues, being nominated is just as meaningful as winning. Your words help us recognise and celebrate the people who make outstanding care possible every day.
If someone made a difference to you or your family, now is your chance to say thank you.
Submit your nomination before 12 July and help us celebrate the people behind outstanding care.
