Winners and finalists
Meet this year’s exceptional winners and finalists of the Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards and learn about their remarkable achievements.
Innovation Excellence
Ellie Ricketts
Specialist Oncology Counsellor, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
As a lifelong swimmer, Macmillan Counsellor Ellie recognized the power of cold-water swimming on both mind and body. Inspired to offer people with cancer the opportunity to experience the benefits for themselves, she funded her own training to become a sea swimming coach, then secured a grant from Macmillan to launch ‘Into The Blue’, an innovative cold-water swimming course.
Since its launch in June 2023, this groundbreaking project has helped hundreds of people with cancer to reconnect with their bodies and boost their mental health. Ellie is also working with Plymouth Marjons University on an ethnographic study to gather evidence of the cold-water swimming’s transformative impact.
“The water temperature is so arresting that when you go in, you can't do anything but deal with the cold – everything else is left behind,” explains Ellie. “What’s more, when people with cancer overcome their fears of going into the water, that courage transfers into the rest of their life.”
2024 Finalists
Integration Excellence
2024 Winner
CanGene-CanVar Patient Decision Aid Co-design Team
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust / University of Southampton
People with Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that increases the chance of developing certain cancers, often struggle to navigate complex, emotionally charged decisions about their care due to a lack of joined-up support and trustworthy information. To address this, a team from St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Southampton partnered to develop Lynch Choices, a patient decision aid website that helps users to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Patient involvement in codesign has been at the heart of this project with a formal Patient Reference Panel involved at all stages of the process from conception to delivery, analysis and dissemination.
“Lynch Choices can fill a gap in integrated care pathways and support decision making,” explains Macmillan Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor Kelly Kohut. “This will alleviate some of the personal burden people feel to seek information and support and educate others, including healthcare professionals.”
2024 Highly Commended
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Macmillan Palliative Care Service Improvement and Community Specialist Palliative Care Team, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
The Northern Trust Macmillan Palliative Care Service Improvement and Community Specialist Palliative Care Team works across Northern Ireland’s largest rural Trust and aims to enhance the lives of people with palliative conditions.
The passionate team of five uses innovative partnerships and creative methods to raise public awareness and foster compassionate communities. They address sensitive topics like grief, loss and palliative care through a broad range of impactful projects that tap into diverse communities across their region.
Whether they are engaging local schools in art-based bereavement activities, developing a network of death positive libraries, or organising events for the farming community, the team are constantly transforming perceptions about palliative care.
“Many people don't understand what palliative care is until it knocks at their door,” explains Macmillan Palliative Care Service Improvement Lead Fiona Gilmour. “We're trying to raise awareness and educate the public in a variety of ways that will help them plan for the future.”
2024 Finalists
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Rachael Delderfield - Macmillan Neuroendocrine Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Due to the complex nature of neuroendocrine cancer – and the fact that it can affect different parts of the body – awareness among healthcare professionals can be low and lead to gaps in support. Patients at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston received inconsistent care across multiple departments until CNS Rachael Delderfield came into post and transformed their experience by developing a dedicated service.
After speaking to patients to understand their needs, Rachael introduced streamlined pathways, provided holistic support, and worked to integrate teams and hospitals across the region. Rachael also organised an innovative patient and family wellbeing day that offered a range of complementary therapies and gave families the opportunity to get to know others in similar situations.
“If something's not right for a patient, I’m always thinking, ‘What can I do about it?’” says Rachael. “I always think of innovation as a muscle, and now that I've been allowed to innovate and set up a service, I'm constantly exercising that muscle.” -
Macmillan Cancer Psychology Service Lincolnshire - Lincolnshire Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust
Before the launch of the Macmillan Cancer Psychology Service Lincolnshire, people with cancer in Lincolnshire lacked access to specialist psychological support. The service now provides tailored psychological support to patients on inpatient wards and in the community, while also offering training and supervision to healthcare professionals to create a psychologically informed cancer workforce.
Central to the service's success is its commitment to co-production, ensuring that the patient voice is at the heart of its development. By working closely with patients, the service has crafted a highly effective personalised approach that is fully embedded across the cancer pathway in Lincolnshire.
“When you're hit with a cancer diagnosis, it pulls the rug out from under your feet,” says Macmillan Specialist Clinical Psychologist Sarah Thomason. “We are able to have meaningful conversations with patients that open up space for them to talk about what their life is really like, and that can be very powerful.” -
Head and Neck Integrated Team - Speech & Language Therapy - The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation
Speech and language therapy services for patients with head and neck cancer in Cheshire and Mersey used to be fragmented leading to patient frustration at the lack of joined-up care. In an effort to create a more seamless patient experience, speech and language therapists from two different organisations united to create a unique integrated service across surgery, oncology and community – the first of its kind in the UK.
Staff from the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust now work together to ensure patients with head and neck cancer are cared for by the right experts at the right time, wherever they are. The team’s pioneering approach has improved outcomes, reduced staff turnover, and received national recognition for its responsive service.
“The whole project is clinician and patient led with a bottom-up approach,” explains Macmillan Principal speech and language therapist Heulwen Sheldrick. “We knew that getting together was the right thing to do for our patients, even if our organisations weren’t telling us to do it.”
Quality Improvement Excellence
2024 Winner
Specialist Palliative Care Team
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, NHS Foundation Trust
Cancer patients who are facing uncertain recovery don’t always have the opportunity to discuss their wishes and preferences for the future. As a result, important decisions can be left unspoken and cause distress for patients, their families, and healthcare professionals alike. To address this, the Specialist Palliative Care Team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre introduced the AMBER Care Bundle, a clinical tool designed to improve communication and care planning for its critically ill patients.
By integrating the AMBER Care Bundle into the hospital’s electronic records and providing training, the team has ensured that all healthcare professionals can use it effectively.
“The Amber Care Bundle has put a structure in place that we can all follow,” explains Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care CNS Claire Cadwallader. “It's all about having open conversations with patients and their families about what they want for the future – and doing it earlier. We’re making these kinds of conversations a normal part of being in hospital.”
2024 Finalists
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John Bostock - Macmillan Head & Neck / Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
John Bostock’s new CNS role was created to address a lack of specialist support for the growing group of head and neck skin cancer patients undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery and radical radiotherapy. They faced fragmented care as they moved back and forth between dermatology, maxillofacial, ENT, and head and neck teams, with no team having the capacity or expertise to fully address patient needs.
John, with his unique experience of working across dermatology, maxillofacial and ENT teams, filled this gap by developing a service that coordinates care seamlessly across divisional boundaries. His ability to communicate effectively with different departments helped him create smoother care pathways, set up clinics, and provide direct support to patients. Thanks to his passion for patient care and his commitment to innovation, John has transformed the patient experience.
“Patients now always have a single point of contact who will listen to what they need,” says John. “They know that if they present a problem, I'll move hell and high water to put it to bed.” -
Julie Cracknell - Macmillan Personalised Care, Cancer Nurse Facilitator, BSW CCG
Macmillan personalised care cancer nurse facilitator Julie’s pioneering work has enhanced the number and quality of cancer care reviews (CCRs) taking place across Swindon. In the first role of its kind, Julie has increased proactive CCR engagement across GP practices and embedded meaningful, timely reviews that ensure cancer patients get information and support they need.
Thanks to her tireless work training and educating primary care staff through practice visits, webinars and conferences, Julie has increased CCR rates from 67% to over 90%. She also collaborated with secondary care staff to co-create a patient leaflet and host community road shows that improved post-treatment support. Julie's work has been sustained through the creation of a virtual cancer support hub for patients and professionals and a network of CCR leads, as well as through her contribution to Macmillan’s national cancer care review guidelines.
‘A cancer care review can be the catalyst that makes a huge difference to a patient’s life, and that’s the end game for me,” explains Julie. -
Salford Royal Acute Oncology Team - Northern Care Alliance
Since being established in 2012, the Salford Royal Acute Oncology Team knew their five-day service was leaving cancer patients without the essential support they needed over weekends and bank holidays. Desperate to improve the patient pathway, the team trialled weekend working and collected patient stories to demonstrate the benefits of a seven-day service. This allowed them to secure funding to make the service permanent and ensure continuous specialist care and improved outcomes.
But the team of six nurses and three coordinators haven’t stopped stop there. They work tirelessly to identify opportunities to improve the patient experience from developing patient information packs to providing education about their service to healthcare colleagues, as well as upskilling their own team members.
“Just creating a seven-day service wasn’t enough,” explains lead nurse Alison Redfern. “We needed to provide more for our patients. As part of that we developed a rolling education programme for our nurses which has given them clinical examination skills and non-medical prescribing skills.” -
Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Team - Northern Health and Social Care Trust
The Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Team at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has made huge strides in improving care for patients with blood cancer. Since forming in 2014, the team has grown from two nurses to six, all driven by a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes.
Their innovative service improvements include introducing nurse-led bone marrow biopsy clinics which have reduced patient discomfort and achieving Myeloma UK’s Clinical Service Excellence Programme accreditation. The team has also boosted the uptake of holistic needs assessments by offering them more frequently and at points on the pathway that best suit each patient. Their proactive approach and passion for patient-centred care has also seen the team establish vital peer support groups in collaboration with their patients.
“The patient is at the centre of everything we do so we're always very open to working in different ways and trialling new things,” explains Macmillan Haematology CNS Kerrie Sweeney.
Whatever it Takes
2024 Winner
Isla Veal
Highly Specialist Physiotherapist, Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Isla Veal, a Highly Specialist Physiotherapist at Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, is driving change by championing the importance of physical activity for people living with cancer. Through her tireless efforts in patient and staff education, she has developed an innovative and accessible catalogue of digital resources, delivered multiple live webinars, and devised tailored exercise programmes. What’s more, Isla has collaborated with local gyms in her community to ensure patients have access to ongoing physical activity once they finish their cancer treatment.
Isla’s passion and commitment are transforming the way physical activity is integrated into cancer care, inspiring both patients and healthcare professionals to embrace exercise as a key element in improving quality of life.
“We've increased people’s awareness about the importance of physical activity in helping patients to have significantly better cancer outcomes,” explains Isla. “As well as reducing the risk of reoccurrence, physical activity can be the difference between someone being able to finish their cancer treatment or not.”
2024 Finalists
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Anthony Thomas - Macmillan Neuroendocrine CNS, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS foundation Trust
Traditionally, neuroendocrine tumours have been viewed as a rare form of cancer and patients haven’t always been able to access specialist support. When Macmillan CNS Anthony investigated Calderdale and Huddersfield’s provision for this underrepresented patient group, he quickly realised that patient numbers were growing and that a high quality, patient experience-led service was desperately needed.
After spending two years campaigning relentlessly for these life-limited and often highly symptomatic patients, Anthony was successful in securing Macmillan funding to establish a neuroendocrine tumour service. As well as developing nurse-led clinics and streamlining diagnostic processes, Anthony’s educational initiatives have also raised awareness among healthcare professionals about the complexities of neuroendocrine tumours, including life-threatening emergencies like carcinoid crisis. His tireless advocacy, passion and innovation have improved the lives and outcomes of countless patients.
“Every single person with cancer should have access to an equitable service,” explains Anthony. “I'm just aiming to give people with neuroendocrine tumours the care that they are entitled to.” -
Maria Bracey - Macmillan Cancer Personalised Care and Support Lead Eastern Services, Cancer Services, RDUH Eastern
As the Macmillan Cancer Personalised Care and Support Lead at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Maria has transformed cancer care by taking a blended approach. She has implemented Holistic Needs Assessments to meet individual needs, organised patient focus groups to gather crucial feedback and bring about co-design, and introduced numerous initiatives to ensure inclusion.
On top of this, Maria has built a team of Cancer Support Workers and leads an ongoing education programme to ensure they feel fully supported to deliver personalised care to thousands of patients each year. Maria’s dedication to patient involvement, staff education, and kind and compassionate leadership has reshaped cancer services in her Trust and placed patients at the heart of every decision.
“It’s all about getting it right for patients,” explains Maria. “When you get them together and listen to their experiences you know that you’ve got the experts in the room. By involving lived experience in new service developments from the off, we are more likely to get it at the right time, in the right place and in the right way for patients.” -
George Downs - Senior Welfare Benefits Officer, Derbyshire County Council Macmillan Welfare Rights
As the Senior Welfare Benefits Officer for Derbyshire County Council Macmillan Welfare Rights, George has dedicated over 25 years to ensuring people affected by cancer receive the financial support they deserve. His expertise and compassion have transformed countless lives, as he tirelessly advocates for clients, navigates the complex benefits system, and educates healthcare professionals.
George’s dedication to going the extra mile for people affected by cancer has seen him extend his role way beyond just giving financial advice. From briefing funeral directors, to offering patients a listening ear and even planning a wedding, George has improved the lives of countless people across Derbyshire.
“If someone is entitled to something then they should have it – and I will fight to make sure they get it,” explains George. “It’s not about the money itself – it’s about somebody not having to worry about whether they can afford to put the heating on or go food shopping.” -
Jacqueline Pottle - Macmillan North Wales Allied Health Professional Therapy Cancer lead, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
As the Macmillan North Wales Allied Health Professional Therapy Cancer Lead at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Jacqueline has led numerous projects that have improved patient outcomes nationally and highlighted the vital role that allied health professionals (AHPs) play in improving quality of life for people with cancer.
Jacqueline has been instrumental in raising the profile of prehabilitation and rehabilitation for palliative care patients. Under her inspirational leadership AHPs have educated their medical colleagues to ensure patients receive compassionate and holistic care that empowers them to live life fully during the time they have left.
“I’m so proud that we’ve raised awareness about palliative rehabilitation,” explains Jacqueline. “It’s really important that we never write people off and say that they can’t have any more treatment. We always need to look at what we can we do to give patients real pleasure and joy in life. AHPs have the skills to support that.”