Doctor scoops national workforce award

A doctor has received national recognition for a project which empowers clinical colleagues to improve services at Mid Cheshire Hospitals.

Dr Nicola Johnstone won the Workforce category at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Excellence in Patient Care Awards 2026.

She was recognised for her key role in developing a framework that helps resident doctors to complete quality improvement work, with a focus on leadership development, shared learning and sustainable change.

RCP judges praised the project’s clarity and its focus on a long-term impact, noting its potential to drive positive transformation across hospital services.

Dr Johnstone, Speciality Doctor and RCP Chief Registrar at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust, we’re delighted that this work has been recognised at a national level.

“By supporting resident doctors to take on quality improvement projects, we are strengthening our services for the future and creating a culture where innovation and continuous improvement can thrive.

“This framework is designed to be replicable and scalable, so it can be implemented in other Trusts, widening the impact and potential for meaningful and impactful change whilst giving resident doctors a positive experience of quality improvement and leadership development.”

Dr Johnstone’s project was created in collaboration with clinical colleagues and the Continuous Improvement team at Mid Cheshire Hospitals.

It aims to provide resident doctors with a clear route into leadership and service improvement, including support to develop their skills. The project was also designed to ensure that participants’ learning is passed on to their colleagues. This included:

–         Hosting a sign-up event

–         Matching resident doctors to priority improvements and supervisors

–         Modifying training to make it more relevant and accessible

–         Assigning coaches to provide support and tools

–         Monitoring progress and providing ‘check-in’ opportunities

Dr Clare Hammell, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of Dr Johnstone and this well-deserved national recognition for both her and the wider team who worked on this project.

“As a Trust, we are committed to investing in our workforce and enabling staff to take an active role in improving services. This programme demonstrates the powerful difference that leadership development can make, both for our colleagues and for the care we provide to patients.”

The RCP’s awards, presented in Liverpool, celebrate projects that make a meaningful difference to patients, colleagues and the wider healthcare system.

Professor Mumtaz Patel, President of the Royal College of Physicians said: “The award winners are a testament to the extraordinary dedication of physicians and their teams, who every day find new ways to improve the lives of patients.

“From reducing health inequalities to harnessing digital technology, from early disease detection to transforming end-of-life care, the breadth and ambition of this year’s winners is truly inspiring. The RCP is immensely proud of each and every one of them.”

Pic

Dr Nicola Johnstone, second from left, holding the Excellence in Patient Care Award – Workforce, along with Mid Cheshire Hospitals colleagues, from left, Dr Shirley Hammersley, Dr Beth Griffith, and Callam Weldon, Continuous Improvement Manager