South Yorkshire Awards for Nurses working in General Practice 2026 Shortlist
The South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce & Training Hub are hosting Nursing Awards and Long Service Awards as part of the Nursing Conference on Tuesday 16th June 2026.
If you haven’t already booked your place to attend, click here to register.
Please see below the list of shortlisted candidates for each category!
Leadership in General Practice
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership within general practice nursing. Nominees inspire and motivate others, champion creativity and innovation in the nursing role, and act as aspirational role models. They are forward-thinking and progressive, influencing positive change and helping to shape the future of primary care.
Katie Whitehead
The Hollies Medical Centre
“I am nominating Katie Whitehead for her exceptional and far-reaching leadership in general practice, demonstrated through her unwavering commitment to prevention, education, and system-wide influence.”
Michelle Oldfield
Sothall Medical Centre
“Michelle is the go-to person for not only the nursing team but also for doctors and other clinicians across the practice. Her calm and composed nature during a crisis, combined with her proactive “get up and do it” attitude, sets the tone every day”
Isabel Pico
Meadowgreen Health Centre
“Isabel leads by example, she is approachable, encouraging, and always willing to support others. She inspires confidence in those around her and continuously looks for ways to improve and innovate. She is truly an asset to our team and very deserving of this recognition”
Ruth Webber
Dykes Hall Medical Centre
“Ruth exemplifies outstanding leadership within general practice nursing through a consistent commitment to excellence, innovation, and team development. They inspire and motivate colleagues by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute”
Dawn Varney
Birley Health Centre
“Dawn consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership by fostering a supportive and collaborative environment within the practice. Their approach, ability, clear communication, and willingness to guide others have had a significant impact on team morale and effectiveness”
Support & Mentorship
This award celebrates those who demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting and mentoring nurses and student nurses who are new to general practice. It recognises individuals who warmly welcome new roles and team members, fostering a supportive, encouraging, and engaging learning environment that enables others to thrive and develop.
Eva Whittaker
Kingswell Surgery
“I am nominating this nurse in recognition of her outstanding commitment to supporting and mentoring colleagues within our general practice team. Despite being relatively new to the role herself, having joined us just one year ago, she has consistently demonstrated a natural ability to guide, encourage, and uplift others”
Clare Jones
Clifton Medical Centre
“Clare works as a member of the Connect Educator Team, provides support & mentorship to all the new nurses who have joined the team over the last few years. She works hard, is precise, researches everything, promotes IPC, Safety & Quality”
Karen Barber
Dove Valley Practice
“Karen is an exceptional mentor who consistently demonstrates kindness, approachability, and a genuine commitment to supporting others. Their support has been instrumental in building my confidence. Karen always took the time to talk things through with me, encouraging reflection and helping me develop my own clinical judgement”
Commitment to General Practice Nursing
This award recognises a general practice nurse who shows exceptional passion and dedication to their role. They actively champion and promote general practice nursing, demonstrate pride and enthusiasm in their work, and consistently make a positive impact on colleagues, patients, and the wider practice team.
Kate Leadley
Dr Hakes & Partners
“She is always happy to support others doing innovative and pioneering work in the NHS and contribute where she can”
Kathleen Leak
Great North Medical Group
“She is widely respected for encouraging, advising, and mentoring other healthcare professionals, particularly in the areas of wound management and COVID-19 vaccination. Colleagues regularly turn to her for guidance, knowing her advice is grounded in decades of experience and genuine care”
Karli Holmes
Gleadless Medical Centre
“I can see Karli becoming an advocate for practice nursing as she is young and has many years in front of her, she is the kind of nurse that we need in general practice, when Karli mentors students it fills me with hope that her way will encourage future nurses to think about choosing primary care as their chosen career”
Laura Carnall
Primary Care Sheffield
“Laura leads with compassion and authenticity. She is approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in the wellbeing of those around her. Despite holding a senior leadership role, she remains hands-on, never hesitant to step in, support her teams, and “roll up her sleeves” when needed”
Nursing Team of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding general practice nursing team that demonstrates collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual support. The team embodies a shared commitment to delivering high-quality patient care while also prioritising staff wellbeing and maintaining a positive and supportive working environment.
Wombwell Medical Centre Nursing Team
“I would love to nominate my wonderful nurses for the Nursing Team of the Year! They are an exceptional general practice nursing team, full of collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual support. Claire Simpson, Jodie Heaton, and Jodie Brown consistently demonstrate these wonderful qualities in their dedicated work every day”



The Oakwood Surgery Nursing Team
“I am nominating our nursing team for Nursing Team of the Year in recognition of the consistent dedication, resilience, and teamwork demonstrated within our practice. Our nursing team has demonstrated exceptional commitment to both patient care and service improvement within general practice”
Rising Star
This award recognises a nurse who is new to General Practice (within the last two years) and is already making a notable impact. With enthusiasm, dedication, and initiative, the nominee is improving patient outcomes and showing great potential as a future leader in practice nursing.
Leanne Pendle
Clifton Medical Centre
“Leanne has made a positive contribution to both patient care and team dynamics. She is building strong, trusting relationships with patients, with feedback noting her engaging manner and ability to establish good rapport. Her approach helps patients feel at ease and supported during consultations”
Kimberley Sikhosana
Clifton Medical Centre
“Kimberley’s ability to successfully transition from secondary care into general practice stands out as a significant achievement. Despite having no prior experience in general practice nursing, she is progressing well and developing the skills required to thrive in this setting. She demonstrates reliability, consistency and a thoughtful approach to her work”
Hermione Hollis-Leick
Primary Care Mental Health Team
“She goes above and beyond her core role to improve patient care, building strong therapeutic relationships and making a meaningful difference to those experiencing mental health difficulties. Hermione takes a proactive approach to her learning and development, contributes positively to the wider team, and brings fresh ideas that enhance service delivery”
Rebecca Fearn
Nethergreen Surgery
“Rebecca is a valued member of our team. She is great company and her positive attitude and supportive nature mean that she is much appreciated by the wider team in the surgery including the doctors and reception staff”
Rhona Barker
The Mount Group Practice
“She has now made a huge dent in that waiting list and is teaching the GPs about interpretation and treatment based on the new South Yorkshire and Gold guidelines. She quietly goes about her work, never shouting about her achievements. Yet she should be celebrated for all she does and her ability to lead others”
Claire Stoney
Clifton Medical Centre
“Claire has had a positive impact across patients, colleagues and the wider practice team. Patients benefit from her commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care, even whilst still developing in her role. She has built positive relationships with patients, helping to foster trust and confidence in the nursing team”
Samantha Hirst
Firth Park Surgery
“She has a fantastic attitude to work and has expanded her clinical skill in the field of primary care nursing. She acts as a role model to nurse students and delegates for the role of the primary care nurse in the wider nursing community”
Full list of nominees
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award! Thank you for your continued commitment and contribution to General Practice nursing.
- Market Surgery Nursing Team
- Raven PCN Dementia Nursing Team
- Porter Brook Medical Centre Nursing Team
- Gateway Primary Care Nursing Team
- Norwood Medical Centre Nursing Team
- Primary Care Sheffield Nursing Team
- Sharon Woodcock, Southey Green Medical Centre
- Katie Whitehead, Hollies Medical Centre
- Gillian Myers, Gateway Primary Care
- Kerry Gaskell, Penistone Group Practice
- Lisa Scott, The Scott Practice
- Margaret Nartey, Parkgate Medical Centre
- Sally Marples, Nethergreen Surgery
- Tracie Robinson, North Darnall Health Centre
- Sue Fellows, Dearne Valley Group Practice
- Angela Ronan-Ulley, Firth Park Surgery
- Laura Carnall, Primary Care Sheffield
- Alexandra Hutchinson, Nethergreen Surgery
- Lisa Carrack, Chapelgreen Practice
- Catherine Vaughan, Market Surgery
- Hannah Grady, Buchanan Road Surgery
- Chidera Ezepue, Burngreave Surgery
- Frances Stringer, Darnall Primary Care
- Jessica King, Park View Surgery