Celebrating Community Services: Honouring excellence at NCH&C
This week is Celebrating Community Services Week - an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vital role community healthcare plays in supporting people's wellbeing across the country. It's an opportunity to recognise the dedication, compassion, and innovation of those working in community services. At Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C), that commitment is evident every single day.
NCH&C provides a wide range of community-based health and care services across Norfolk and Waveney, supporting patients in their homes, clinics, and local settings. Serving a population of nearly 900,000 people, the trust delivers care in over 70 locations. We're committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that helps people live independently, recover faster and stay out of hospital wherever possible. We believe in delivering care close to home, recognising that people are best supported within their own communities. This approach not only improves patient outcomes, but also reduces pressure on acute hospital services.
This year, the celebrations coincide with NCH&C's REACH Awards - our annual staff awards ceremony, taking place on Thursday 25 September. The awards recognise excellence and achievement in community healthcare, honouring individuals and teams who go above and beyond in their roles. This year's finalists offer inspiring examples of excellence in action.
You can read more about the REACH Awards here and see a list of all this year's finalists here.
To give you a taste of the individuals and teams we'll be celebrating this week, here are just a few examples of this year's finalists:
Patient Experience Award Finalist
Katie Yule, Community Nurse
Katie's commitment to inclusive care is truly inspiring. Recognising the communication barriers faced by patients who are deaf or have additional needs, Katie took it upon herself to learn basic sign language in her own time. Her efforts have had a profound impact - one patient was moved to tears by the ability to communicate directly with her nurse.
Katie has gone further by teaching her colleagues the signing alphabet, helping to raise the standard of care across her team. Her actions reflect the heart of community nursing: empathy, initiative and a deep respect for every patient's experience.
Team of the Year Finalist
Post-COVID Assessment Service (PCAS)
Launched in December 2020, the Post-COVID Assessment Service has been a lifeline for thousands of patients navigating the long-term effects of COVID-19. This multidisciplinary team developed an integrated care pathway that spans primary, secondary and community services, offering holistic support for physical, mental and emotional recovery.
Their work has not only improved outcomes, but also validated patient experiences - with feedback consistently praising their empathy and professionalism. By embracing digital tools and sharing best practice nationally, PCAS has become a model of innovation and collaboration in post-pandemic care.
Learner of the Year Finalist
Amy Thompson, Podiatry Apprentice
Amy has made an exceptional start to her career in podiatry. With confidence, enthusiasm and a clear commitment to learning, she has quickly become a valued member of the team. Patients respond warmly to her positive and engaging manner, and she is already supporting nail surgery clinics while progressing towards supervised independent practice.
Amy's academic achievements are equally impressive - she passed her exams with outstanding results and was nominated for Apprentice of the Year by the University of East London. Beyond her clinical work, Amy actively promotes the value of apprenticeships, representing NCH&C at careers events and engaging with national leaders. Her story is a testament to the future of podiatry and the power of apprenticeships in shaping skilled, compassionate professionals.
Quality Award Finalist
Digital Infrastructure Team
The Technical Blueprint Project, carried out by NCH&C's Digital Infrastructure Team, is a shining example of innovation and dedication. Rolled out across 210 sites in Norfolk and Waveney, the project has transformed digital connectivity for over 5,000 staff - enhancing both staff efficiency and patient experience.
The team worked tirelessly to minimise disruption in GP practices. Despite constant scheduling and design changes, they completed the project in just four months - well ahead of the original ten-month timeline. Their work not only avoided additional costs, but also laid the foundation for a more secure, scalable and patient-friendly digital infrastructure.
We'd like to congratulate all our finalists and wish them luck at this week's award ceremony. Thank you for being a shining example of community services at NCH&C.
As we mark Celebrating Community Services Week, these stories remind us of the extraordinary people behind the scenes - those who innovate, care and lead with compassion.
Let's continue to celebrate the unsung heroes of community healthcare, not just this week, but all year round.
#CelebratingCommunityServices