It is just over two weeks to go until our CHuFT Awards, on Thursday, 24th July. Today, some of our Work Together Get Results finalists share what being a finalist means to them.

The judges were looking for a team or colleague that sought to make a positive difference to the experience of colleagues or service users, by recognising the contribution of everyone, role modelling our values and behaviours.

Our finalists are:

• Children’s Speech and Language Team
• Dr Emma Bishop, Principal Clinical Psychologist: Clinical Psychology
• Georgia Kelly, Operations Manager: Medical Divisional Management
• Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team (HSPCT) In-Reach service at CRH 
• Tara Leach, Ward Manager, and the Short Stay Frailty Unit: Ward 3, HRI

Children’s Therapies Service Manager, Carly Hartshorn, said: “The nomination for the team is a fabulous recognition of their hard work and dedication into reducing waiting times and ensuring a high quality of compassionate and evidence-based care.  We’re really excited to have the work recognised and so proud of what we’ve achieved so far as a team.”

Emma told us: “I was delighted and surprised in equal measure to find out that I’d been shortlisted! Working in a regional post as a clinical psychologist is unusual but has been a wonderful opportunity to work alongside so many skilled and compassionate colleagues who support people living with and affected by MND in West Yorkshire.

"I’ve been welcomed into these NHS services, have been well supported by the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) who worked hard to get access to psychology, and am proud of the clinical psychology service we have developed in the first year of this two-year pilot. 

"I joined CHFT in 2022 after spending most of my career in another local Trust. It will be lovely to meet with other colleagues at the awards evening. There is much to celebrate about the work of NHS staff who do incredible jobs and often in difficult circumstances."

Becky who is a Specialist Palliative Care, Clinical Nurse Specialist, said on behalf of the team: “We were truly honoured to be nominated for this award by our lead Abbie Thompson. We never imagined we would receive such recognition and feel deeply humbled.

“The dedication and compassion of our colleagues in both hospital and primary care inspires every day. Without their support we’d not be able to fulfil this role successfully. This nomination truly reflects the essence of “working together to achieve results” — it’s a genuine team effort from beginning to end. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Acute Medical Unit and ED teams for wholeheartedly embracing the HSPCT In-Reach role — your support has been invaluable. It is a privilege to care for our palliative patients across CHFT.”

Tara Leach and Ward 3 both had separate nominations. Tara said: “I am truly honoured and deeply moved to have been shortlisted. This recognition means so much — not just to me, but to the entire team on Ward 3, our frailty short stay unit. Since the ward opened just six months ago, we’ve faced significant challenges, but through it all, the team has shown unwavering commitment, compassion, and resilience.

"I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. Every member of the team has gone above and beyond to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care, often under intense pressure. We’ve built a strong, supportive culture where collaboration and mutual respect are at the heart of everything we do.

“Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to the power of teamwork and the incredible spirit of Ward 3. I feel privileged to work alongside such dedicated and inspiring colleagues, and I’m excited for what we can continue to achieve together.”

WTGR was a popular category, the other 88 nominees were: