Nurses’ Day 2026 brought together almost 450 nurses and colleagues from across the Trust to reflect, reconnect and recognise the vital role nursing plays in our communities, from birth to the end of life, every day of the year. 

Against a backdrop of challenge and change across the health and care system, the event provided an important space to reaffirm the value of nursing voices, leadership and compassion, and to celebrate the people who continue to show up every day to provide care. 

Opening the day, Wellington Makala, Chief Nursing Officer, acknowledged current pressures across the system, including organisational change, workforce uncertainty and cost-of-living challenges. He reminded colleagues that:

“Nursing is the most trusted profession worldwide.” 

He emphasised that nurse’s matter, not only because of the care they provide, but because their leadership, insight and voice are critical to shaping the future of services. 

A strong theme throughout the day was belonging and how feeling heard, valued and connected enables nurses to do their best work. Wellington said:

“When we belong, it puts us in a good place to save lives.” 

The Trust reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening and amplifying nursing voices at every level, ensuring nurses are actively involved in decisions that affect care, teams and patients. 

Keynote speaker Dame Donna Kinnair delivered a powerful and honest address, reflecting on the current challenges facing the profession, including workforce pressures, burnout and vacancies across the system. 

She reminded attendees that:

"Nurses are the pillars of the community, from birth to your dying day.” 

Dame Donna highlighted the unique blend of skills nurses bring to care, scientific knowledge, emotional intelligence, life experience, education, intuition and humanity. She spoke about the reality that there is no single pathway of disease and that excellent nursing care goes beyond evidence alone, it includes knowing the patient as a person. 

The need to address burnout, staffing ratios and the emotional toll of care was acknowledged openly, alongside a message of optimism: nurses are innovators, leaders and central to the future of healthcare delivery, particularly as new technologies and models of care emerge. 

One of the most moving sessions of the day was “Where Compassion Lives” by Jeanette Ward, who shared her experience as a parent whose daughter had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. She spoke about the moments that stay with patients long after treatment ends, nurses popping their heads around the door, sitting for a chat, offering reassurance, or taking time to pray:

“It’s what we remember.” 

Her reflections were a powerful reminder that compassion, presence and small acts of kindness make a lasting difference to patients and families. 

Dr Emmanuel Okoro, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Clinical Director, reinforced the central role nurses play within multidisciplinary teams. 

“As a consultant, you cannot function without a team of excellent nurses around you.” 

He highlighted that the quality of care delivered by services is directly linked to the quality, expertise and judgment of nurses on the ground, and that excellent nursing is essential to everything teams achieve. 

Celebrating Excellence: Staff Recognition Awards 

A highlight of the day was the Staff Recognition Awards, presented by Paul Calaminus, Chief Executive Officer, which celebrated nurses whose dedication, professionalism and compassion exemplify the very best of our services. 

The awards recognised individuals who consistently go above and beyond for patients, families and colleagues, demonstrating clinical excellence, leadership and commitment in often challenging circumstances. Each award reflected the breadth of nursing practice across the Trust and the impact nurses have every day, often quietly, but always meaningfully. 

As each name was announced, colleagues came together to applaud, celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of their peers, creating a powerful moment of shared pride and appreciation. 

The following award winners were recognised for their outstanding contribution, with each demonstrating the very best of nursing in practice: 

• Acute & Rehabilitation CHS: Gillian Goss
• Acute Rehabilitation MHS: Marike De Klerk
• Barking & Dagenham: Dagmar Orszulikova  
• BCYP London: Lisa London
• Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock: Gemma Mayger
• Essex SET CAMHS: Abbie O’Sullivan  
• Essex CHS: Heidi Johnson
• Havering: Graham Taft
• Redbridge: Merv Shepherd
• Waltham Forest: Daria Beaven
• Corporate: Kerry Harvey

The winners’ achievements serve as a reminder that excellence in nursing is not only about clinical skill, but also humanity, teamwork and unwavering commitment to care. 

Throughout the day, colleagues were recognised for their dedication and achievements, including practice assessors, apprenticeship successes and award winners who embody nursing excellence. 

A moment of reflection honoured colleagues who have passed away, recognising that their lives, contributions and legacy matter and continue to shape our services. 

The afternoon closed with celebration, connection and positivity, reminding everyone that despite the challenges, nursing remains a profession rooted in purpose, compassion and strength. 

While many colleagues came together to celebrate in person, we also recognise the many nurses who were unable to attend as they continued providing care across our wards and services, reflecting the reality of a profession that is always present, every day of the year. 

Nurses’ Day 2026 was a celebration of compassion, resilience and leadership. It reaffirmed that nurses are always there, nights, weekends and bank holidays, and that their voices must continue to be heard loudly and clearly. 

As the most trusted profession, nurses are not only the heart of our services today, but key to shaping the future of care for generations to come.

Watch the below video for highlights from the day: