A glittering night of celebration saw a whole host of healthcare professionals recognised for their compassion and dedication, from nurses, doctors and domestics to administrators, Allied Health Professionals and more.

Golden Stars 2025, the annual staff awards ceremony for NHS Humber Health Partnership, took place on Friday 10 October.

Pioneering research projects, innovative initiatives and outstanding teams and individuals from Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) were rewarded for their efforts over the last year.

Two Grimsby nurses stole the spotlight with Louise Salt, Clinical Nurse Specialist, scooping the Healthcare Heroes Award – a category nominated for and chosen by patients – for being a constant source of support to a cancer patient.

Meanwhile Teresa Jackson, Clinical Nurse Specialist, also at Grimsby hospital, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award – in honour of her incredible 61 years’ service.

15 awards in total were presented on Friday night at The Baths Hotel in Scunthorpe, including two surprise awards.

Hull Midwife Beth O’Brien received the Chief Executive’s award after a nomination from a lady who sadly lost her baby boy. She wanted to thank Beth for her compassion and empathy. Describing her she said: “Never in a million years did I think a complete stranger would become my rock, she made me feel like my little boy mattered, she dressed him, took his hand and footprints for me and brought him to me as soon as I woke up. What really stays with me is every time she entered the room and went to his cold cot she’d tell me how perfect he was and that she would say goodbye at the end of her shift to him.”

Meanwhile outgoing Chairman Sean Lyons, presented his personal award for outstanding commitment to patient care to Scunthorpe OPAT nurses Danni Parkin and Jess Bratton. Danni and Jess work out in the community caring for patients who still require hospital care but can receive it in their own homes. Their patient wasn’t due for a home visit that day, but after complaining of feeling weak and dizzy this pair popped round to check on her – and it’s lucky they did, as gas had been leaking into the property and both the patient and her husband were suffering with carbon monoxide poisoning. They saved the lives of two people that day.

Golden Stars was sponsored by Amvale Medical Ltd, KCOM Business, Softcat, Cranswick, Unico, Fisher Security, Knowles Fleet, Trust Marque, Elior and T2 Trans Performance.

The full list of winners of Golden Stars 2025 are:

1. Excellence in Research and Development – FRONTIER Clinical Team (HUTH)
2. Excellence In Improvement and Innovation – Severe Asthma Service (HUTH)
3. Excellence in Equality, Diversion and Inclusion – Patricia McKenna, Practice Development Nurse (NLaG)
4. Partnership and Group Working Award – Freedom to Speak Up Guardians Liz and Fran (Groupwide)
5. Rising Star – Jack Garfield, Physiotherapist (HUTH)
6. Inspirational Leader – Nathan Masden, Clinical Coding Site Leader (HUTH)
7. Unsung Hero Award – Maggie Moran, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist (HUTH)
8. Chief Executive’s Award – Beth O’Brien, Midwife (HUTH)
9. Outstanding Flow Project – OPAT Service (HUTH)
10. Outstanding Contribution to Digital Innovation – Radiotherapy Physics (HUTH)
11. Outstanding Support Team – Emergency Department Domestics Scunthorpe (NLaG)
12. Outstanding Clinical Team – Frailty Team (Groupwide)
13. Healthcare Heroes  – Louise Salt, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Grimsby hospital (NLaG)
14. Chairman’s Award – Danni Parkin and Jess Bratton, OPAT nurses, Scunthorpe (NLaG)
15. Lifetime Achievement – Teresa Jackson, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Grimsby hospital (NLaG)

From arts and crafts to messy play: how nine play specialists in Hull are supporting young patients through treatment and recovery

For poorly children coming into hospital, the idea of playtime and having fun may seem odd to some.

In fact, play in healthcare is an essential part of helping children and young people through their treatment and their recovery, and enabling them to understand what’s happening.

October 13 to 19 is the 50^th anniversary of Play in Healthcare Week, and Hull’s team of hospital play specialists is celebrating by laying on some extra special activities for their young patients this week.

Sarah Jones is a play specialist based on Acorn Ward, the children’s surgical ward at Hull Royal Infirmary. She says:

“Being admitted to hospital can be difficult at any age but it can be especially confusing or unsettling for children when faced with a lack of routine, new people, and a different environment.

“Play specialists help to bridge the gap, providing essential support and helping to put children at ease, and bringing a sense of normality still, as far as they possibly can.

“We provide distraction when children have tests and procedures in hospital, and we explain things to children and young people in a way they can understand, using stories, books, photographs and toys. This helps to prepare them for things that can be difficult and that they might find challenging.

“Most importantly, we spend time getting to know our children and young people, building positive relationships and offering age appropriate, inclusive play for everyone.

“Play allows children and young people to be themselves and is a vital tool for managing stress and anxiety. It enables them to feel a sense of control when most things around them are being led by adults, and play is also key in supporting their recovery after treatment or surgery has taken place.”

Hull has a total of nine play specialists working across Acorn Ward, Woodland Ward, the Paediatric High Dependency Unit and the Children’s Emergency Department. Day-to-day, the team offers a range of different activities to promote understanding of what’s happening in hospital but also to support children’s ongoing development and enjoyment, from toys and building blocks to arts and crafts, board games, card games, and computer games for older children.

During Play in Healthcare Week, however, they have an extra special line-up in store for their young patients, as Sarah explains:

“We really wanted this to be a week of celebration, so we’ve lined up some really exciting things each day for the children in our care. There will be dressing up, autumn crafts and face painting, and we’ll also be helping youngsters to make their own soft toys. We’ll be welcoming in entertainers and story tellers, and the week wouldn’t be complete without biscuits which we’ll be helping the children to ice, and some proper messy play.”

Safeena Rehman, junior sister on Acorn Ward says:

“The play specialists are invaluable to the nursing and medical teams. They help to settle children into hospital and spend time getting to know our patients, which then helps us as clinical staff to provide the best possible care. The play specialists treat each child as an individual and will do whatever they can to ensure not only the child, but also their siblings and family, feel comfortable and cared for. They help bring fun to the ward at what can be a difficult time for many families, and we’d certainly be lost without them.”

If you would like to know more about what the play specialist team has in store, visit the main entrance of Hull Women and Children’s Hospital on Monday 13 October where play specialists will be promoting Play in Healthcare Week and explaining their role in supporting children and families.

NHS Humber Health Partnership (HHP) is pleased to announce that NHS England has approved the appointment of Murray Macdonald as its new interim Chair. Murray will be taking over from Sean Lyons, who earlier this month announced that he will be stepping down from the role in October after four years in post.

HHP is a partnership between Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG), as such Mr Macdonald is joint interim Chair of both organisations. In accordance with the requirements of an NHS foundation trust the appointment of Murray Macdonald has also received the approval of the NLaG Council of Governors. He will take up his new role from Monday, 13 October.

Murray Macdonald has been a Non-Executive Director with the Partnership for the past nine months. He brings a wealth of experience into the role of interim Chair, having served in various other NHS Non-Executive roles in Community Health, Commissioning, the East of England Ambulance Service, as well as the Lincolnshire ICB Finance Committee. He is also a highly experienced Chief Executive in the housing sector.

He said: “It is a privilege to be appointed as joint Chair of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting time to join the partnership which cares for well over a million people across our region. I know that we have some challenges ahead of us and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with our senior leaders to improve the care we provide and the access to that care for our local population.”

Lyn Simpson, interim Chief Executive at both HUTH and NLaG said: “Although I have only been with the Partnership for a short time I have enjoyed working with Murray and I know he is an excellent appointment for our organisation. His knowledge and previous experience will be a valuable asset to us as we look to position our organisation as a great place to receive care and treatment.

“I would like to pay a special tribute to Sean Lyons for the years of service he has given to HUTH and NLaG. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the NHS Humber Health Partnership and on behalf of the executive team I would like to thank him for his service.”

A pioneering team of head and neck surgeons will put NHS Humber Health Partnership on the international map next month when they present their groundbreaking work at a prestigious European conference.

Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon Mr Kelvin Mizen and Consultant Plastic Surgeon Miss Noemi Kelemen have been invited to speak at the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 15 to 17 October.

Their presentation will highlight innovative techniques that have transformed treatment for around 60 patients with head and neck tumours. By using computer-assisted design software, the team has improved the precision of tumour removal while ensuring patients are treated within the NHS’s 31-day and 62-day cancer targets.

The software enables the creation of customised 3D-printed plastic cutting guides and precisely engineered metal reconstruction plates. These tools allow surgeons to remove tumours completely while reconstructing the patient’s face or neck with minimal damage to healthy tissue.

Mr Mizen said: “Until recently, the main challenge was getting the guides and plates manufactured quickly enough. Everything was produced in Belgium and while the plastic guides arrived relatively fast, the metal plates took far longer. Now, technology has caught up. What once took weeks can now be done in just 10 days.”

Since adopting the computer-assisted approach, the NHS Humber Health Partnership team has achieved 100pc success in removing all cancerous tissue from the bone in patients with head and neck tumours.

“We’ve, so far, never failed to clear the cancer in any case since we began using this technique,” Mr Mizen said.

The invitation to the ESSO conference follows another significant achievement earlier this year. In May, Mr Mizen, Miss Kelemen and Senior House Officer Dr Lato Abebe presented their research to the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists. Dr Abebe outlined their pioneering use of specialist imaging software to evaluate the viability of fibula segments for facial reconstruction.

Traditionally, surgeons believed bone fragments needed to be at least 3cm long for use in reconstruction. However, the HHP’s research has shown that segments as small as 18mm can be successfully transplanted, opening new possibilities for patients requiring complex facial surgery. They are now preparing a full paper on this work for submission to a leading reconstruction journal.

In addition, the team were recently the winners of the Yorkshire Cancer Alliance Awards, where they had been shortlisted in the Innovation and Technology category.

Mr Mizen said: “We often just get on with our work quietly, always focused on doing the best for patients. It’s really encouraging to see the team’s efforts being acknowledged on both a national and international level.”

The knowledge of Hull-based epilepsy specialists has been used to create a special animation to help young people manage their condition.

Hospital consultants and epilepsy nurse specialists based at Hull Royal Infirmary have worked with animation company, Get Animated Medical, to create “Staying Safe with Epilepsy”.

It’s the second in a series of animations developed by the paediatric team to help guide young people with additional needs and their families through their healthcare journey.

Crucially, this animation has also been shaped by local young people with epilepsy and those caring for them, to ensure it reflects the issues and the questions which matter most to them.

Dr Sandhya Jose, consultant in paediatric medicine for NHS Humber Health Partnership, explains:

“Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and can cause seizures. It commonly starts in childhood and according to the charity, Epilepsy Action, there are more than 26,000 children in the UK aged between 4 and 12 who are currently living with the condition.

“While every individual’s experience of epilepsy, either as a patient or as the parent or carer of a child with epilepsy is different, there are some need-to-knows that are common to all families and some questions which often come up in clinic.

“Seizures can put you at risk of accidents and injury, so safety – both before, during and after a seizure – is one of those topics. This animation looks at how to stay safe inside and outside the home, and how to do your own safety checks. With some simple steps children and young people can still do the things they enjoy and stay safe.

“It will also support parents who will understandably feel anxious and help them feel more confident about managing risks related to epilepsy.”

Unseen Buddies Episode 2: Staying Safe with Epilepsy uses a friendly character called Echo to share tips on staying safe such as medication reminders, how to recognise triggers for seizures, and ways of making the home environment safer. The animation uses comforting narration, comic strip style animation and bright colours, making it perfect for visual learners.

Dr Jose continues:

“In creating this animation, our aim is to explain how young people can stay safe in a fun and friendly way which is easy to understand. This is particularly important for children and young people with additional needs, for whom we know the animation format and the use of characters to work particularly well in getting important messages across.

“Coming into hospital can be unsettling for anyone, and we often find anxieties are heightened among children with additional needs or disabilities as they can find it more difficult to understand what’s happening. Being able to provide them with clear information which they can take in in their own time, in their own way, can really help to calm and reassure children, and enable us as health professionals to get the best out of their time in clinic with us.”

Chris Kennedy, CEO of Get Animated Medical, says:

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the success of the first Unseen Buddies video, which has now reached more than 65,000 views. It’s clear there is a real need for engaging, accessible content that speaks directly to this important community. With the latest episode, we’re proud to continue supporting people with epilepsy and their families, helping them feel seen, understood, and empowered to stay safe.”

Alison Fuller, Director of Health Improvement and Influencing at Epilepsy Action, says:

“Staying safe is one of the biggest concerns for people with epilepsy and their families. We know parents and carers often feel anxious about the risks seizures can bring – both inside and outside the home. This animation is a really positive way of showing that, with some simple steps, children and young people can still do the things they love, while feeling more confident and supported. We’re proud to be part of this project, which gives families practical, accessible tools to help them manage epilepsy more safely.”

Unseen Buddies Episode 2 – Staying Safe with Epilepsy can be found on the Unseen Buddies YouTube Channel and NHS Humber Health Partnership’s Vimeo Channel.

No-one should have to endure anti-social behaviour when they’re coming into hospital.

And that’s why we have teamed up with Hull City Council and Humberside Police to secure a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to combat ASB outside Hull Royal Infirmary.

The order prohibits people from:

• Making verbal, non-verbal or written requests for money, donations, or goods
• Loitering, sitting, or laying on the floor – particularly around doorways and cash machines
• Consuming or being in possession of an open vessel containing alcohol

Anyone failing to comply with the conditions of the order could find themselves liable for a £100 fixed penalty notice or a Magistrate’s Court fine.

In addition to this, Council enforcement teams will also be issuing £150 fixed penalty notices to those found to be littering in the area – including those dropping cigarette butts.

Deputy Head of Facilities, David May for NHS Humber Health Partnership, said: “What this PSPO does is enables the Police and Council enforcement officers to take firm action against those who behave anti-socially outside HRI, causing alarm and distress to our patients, visitors and colleagues.

“It’s extremely important to us that anyone coming to our hospitals – whether that’s for treatment, to work, or to care for a loved one – should not be subject to harassment, intimidation, or obstructive behaviour.

“Having this order in place will help to ensure that anyone behaving this way can be dealt with appropriately, creating a more pleasant environment for everyone.”

Humberside Police Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Dave Lonsdale said: “We know how important it is for people to feel safe and at ease when they’re coming to hospital, whether as a patient, visitor, or member of staff.

“This Public Spaces Protection Order is a welcome measure, and we’re hopeful it will help reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the environment around Hull Royal Infirmary.

“Our officers will continue working closely with Hull City Council and NHS Humber Health Partnership, and we remain committed to supporting a safe and respectful space for everyone.”

Cllr Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “We want people to feel safe entering or leaving the hospital, whether it’s as a worker, a patient or a visitor. This new Public Space Protection Order will help protect everyone outside Hull Royal Infirmary from antisocial behaviour, including harassment and intimidation.

“Many of us are in a vulnerable position when we visit the hospital – whether as a patient or to support a loved one. It’s unacceptable for anyone to experience abusive behaviour at that time, and this joint work between the council, hospital and police shows it won’t be tolerated.

“The impact of the order, along with use of fixed penalty notices for anyone caught littering will help make the area around our hospital safer”.

You can find out more about the order by visiting hull.gov.uk and searching PSPO.

A local healthcare worker supporting young people affected by cancer and their families has been recognised for her outstanding care.

Charlene Kent, youth support coordinator for the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at Castle Hill Hospital won the ‘Outstanding Care’ category at the recent Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance ‘Excellence in Cancer Awards’.

Over her eight years in the role, Charlene has helped countless families from across the Humber region and parts of North Yorkshire through what could be the most difficult time in their lives.

Charlene’s patients describe her as ‘the backbone of the service’ and ‘a lifeline’, while one mum called her ‘my hero, who kept me positive through my darkest time.’

With the help of her colleagues, Charlene ensures her young patients receive both clinical and psychosocial care, which can include everything from coordinating appointments and having bloods taken to advising on hair loss, help to manage anxiety, and organising social events so young patients can meet others like them.

She serves as an advocate for young people and families when they need help to navigate the healthcare system, when they need help explaining needs and rights to employers, and she’s a reassuring voice when things get tough.

Charlene Kent with former patient of the TYA Unit, Freddie Cole

She has even organised hospital-based graduation ceremonies for students too ill to attend their university ceremonies, and has helped scores of patients fulfil ‘bucket list’ activities as diverse as skydiving and milking a cow.

Speaking about her award win, Charlene says:

“My role can be complex and is often emotionally challenging, but it’s the most rewarding thing in the world to support a young person through their cancer journey and see them walk out of our hospital cancer-free at the end of it.

“A cancer diagnosis can be devastating at any age, but for teenagers and young people who are just getting started in life, it can feel particularly cruel. My job is to support them and help them understand what’s happening, but also to remember that there’s a young person inside as well as a patient, with all the same interests, issues and concerns; college, work, relationships and so on; that any other teenager or young adult would have.

“To win the Outstanding Care award is really humbling; it’s a privilege for me to work with so many brave young people and to know that my work is appreciated.”

This is the second year in which the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance has held its Excellence in Cancer awards, which celebrate those working in cancer services across the Humber and North Yorkshire for their hard work, innovation and commitment to delivering the best possible care for patients.

Another team from the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital, the academic oncology and haematology research team, also reached the awards shortlist in the same ‘Outstanding Care’ category as Charlene. The team was acknowledged for its work to trial new treatments such as the cancer vaccine and the support offered to patients through participation in extensive clinical research.

Families who have experienced the death of their babies are being invited to special remembrance services in Hull, Grimsby and Scunthorpe next month.

Bereavement Midwife Jenna Cadden and Chaplain Jo Milns of NHS Humber Health Partnership are arranging special Baby Remembrance Services as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week in October.

Jenna said: “Anyone who has lost a baby is welcome to come to these services.

“We know families cherish every moment they spent with their babies, no matter how short that time may be, and that their love for their child lasts a lifetime.

“This is our way of saying their babies will never be forgotten.”

• The service for families living in and around Grimsby will be held at The Salvation Army, 84 Duncombe Street, Grimsby, on Saturday, 12 October, at 3pm. You can just turn up.
• Scunthorpe families are welcome to attend the Baby Remembrance Service at St Lawrence’s Church, Church Lane, Scunthorpe on Saturday, 18 October, at 2pm. You don’t need to book.
• Families living in Hull and the East Riding can attend the service at Horncastle Hall, Hull College, Wilberforce Drive, on Sunday, 19 October. The service starts at 2pm but families should attend at 1.30pm. Please book your place by calling 07990 800223

Jo said: “The service will include a time of reflection and an opportunity to light a candle. You can also ask for your baby’s name to be read out during the service you attend.”

Light refreshments will be available if you’d like to stay a while after the services to be with other families who have experienced the loss of their baby.

Contact the Pastoral and Spiritual Care Team on 03033 302489 or 01482 311224 if you’d like more information or to arrange for your baby’s name to be read out.

A consultant at Hull Royal Infirmary has completed an epic 1000-mile challenge by cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a three-wheeled trike.

Dr Jacquelyn Smithson, a consultant in gastroenterology, completed the 1,000-mile adventure with her wife Sarah Jones and her best friend Adrian in just three weeks.

With donations still pouring in, the trio’s total raised for the MS Society stands at an incredible £10,001 this morning.

After reaching John O’Groats, Dr Smithson, who has MS, said: “The best part of it all has been the amount of support we’ve received from so many people – all the messages on Instagram, on our JustGiving page and also people who came up and spoke to us while we were on the route.

“One of the things I’ve learned is just how many people this disease affects. So many people came up to tell us their sister, friend, mother or brother had MS. Someone saw our t-shirts and came over to say they’d been diagnosed with MS.

“It has allowed people to talk about MS and that’s so important because I know I didn’t talk about my diagnosis for years. But you have to allow people the opportunity to say how they feel, that life doesn’t end, that you can do stuff and still have aspirations and dreams.

“Those aspirations might be different but you can still do these things.”

Sarah updated their Instagram account and JustGiving page every night, keeping their army of friends and supporters entertained with tales from their challenge including punctures, whales off Arran, potholes and the Jacobite steam express.

As they reached their destination last night, Sarah wrote:  “Wow… just wow! It was an amazing day, the weather was perfect, the scenery was spectacular and in a blink of an eye we had made it to Dunnet Head – the most northerly point in mainland UK.

“Wonderful views over Orkney and a close up of a Golden Eagle to boot. We are humbled by all the support and generosity given by friends, family and passers by. And then we were at John o’Groats!

“Thank you, everyone, for your support.”

Dr Smithson used the special three-wheeled trike to cycle the length of mainland Britain in just three weeks, including some stages that were almost 70 miles at a time and involved climbs of 4,489ft, more than the height of Ben Nevis at 4,413ft. In total, the trio climbed 65,000 feet throughout their challenge, more than twice the height of Everest.

They also met their neighbours along the way at Greta, including their seven-year-old son Will who cycled 26 miles of the route with the team raising £600 on his own to add to the total.

Dr Smithson said: “I can’t believe how blessed we were with the weather. There was wind and rain at times but we’d blue skies and deeper blue seas and incredible views. It was up and down all the way. Every time you’d think you’d made it down hill, there was another uphill.

“I’m tired and still quite emotional but It’s just been amazing.”

You can still donate to their fundraising efforts .

Patients visiting our Emergency Departments (EDs) can now be tested for serious infections, as part of a national pilot.

From 1 October 2025, our EDs will commence opt-out testing for the following blood-borne viruses (BBVs):

• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C.

This will be for all patients aged 18 and over who are having blood tests taken during their ED attendance. Patients who do not wish to take part can simply decline when asked by staff.

The pilot testing, which will run until March 2026, will increase early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, reduce transmission and improve patient outcomes.

Early detection of BBVs significantly improves treatment outcomes and helps prevent further transmission. ED attendance is often the only healthcare contact for many high-risk individuals.

Positive results will be handled by the infectious diseases/BBV specialist team, who will follow-up with the patient.

Infectious Diseases Consultant, Dr Nicholas Easom said: “This is a really important pilot, as what we’re testing for could potentially be life-saving. We have a high prevalence of Hep C in our area.

“If we can capture BBVs early, we can ensure patients start treatment as soon as possible. These viruses can have serious consequences and in some cases can be fatal.

Dr Nicholas Easom

“If this pilot proves to be successful, we’re hoping to continue with this testing in our EDs past March.”

Latest modelling by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that approximately 55,900 people in England are living with a chronic Hep C infection.

Recent UKHSA data estimates there are around 250,000 people with Hep B living in England, less than half of whom are diagnosed.

UKHSA reported in 2024 that new HIV diagnoses are rising in England, particularly outside London.

Opt-out BBV testing in ED is an effective way to diagnose Hep C, Hep B and HIV, and to link patients into care. It’s found 10,000 new diagnoses from 10 million tests across the country so far, including more than 1,300 HIV cases, more than 6,400 Hep B cases and more than 2,300 Hep C cases.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, 46 per cent of HIV patients were diagnosed late from 2020 to 2022, compared to 43% in England.

In North Lincolnshire and Hull, the late diagnosis rate is 50 per cent, and in the East Riding of Yorkshire, the rate of late diagnosis is 86 per cent. This is likely driven by low levels of awareness among healthcare workers and patients, and correspondingly low testing rates.

Late diagnosis is associated with a 10-fold increased mortality rate in HIV.

HIV patients engaged in care in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire and North and North East Lincolnshire increased by 30 per cent in the 2024/5 financial year.