This award is dedicated to our dear friend Kate Westwood, an inspirational and dedicated paediatric registrar who touched the lives of so many of us and was hugely involved and invested in the PAFTAS.
One way we honour her memory is through naming this award after her and celebrating the qualities she so fantastically embodied.
This is the list of Paediatric Specialty Level Trainees (ST5+), SAS and Speciality/Staff Grade Doctors who were nominated for showing outstanding ability, leadership and teamwork.
Click on the names to display/hide the nomination text
Dr Ahmed Sherif
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
I have had the joy of working with Ahmed for the last year, first meeting when dealing with a very tricky patient, . I was blown away by Ahmeds calmness, competence and experience. After I got to know him a bit better, he is one of the loveliest people and such a joy to be around. He is wonderful with staff, patients and their families and when he is on you know you will be in for a good shift and be well supported. He firmly planted himself as one of my favourite doctors I have ever worked with. He is always so calm and I know I can go to him with any concerns, or questions and know he will give me sound advice. Ahmed always knows most up to date practice and research and fills staff and parents with confidence in any plans made. Unfortunately we have just lost him to great ormond street, they are so lucky to have him and I hope to get the pleasure of working with him again.
Dr Jane Baker
Has been working at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Jane is an excellent paediatrician. She has been managing SCBU and now the diabetes clinic fabulously. She is a very important part of the Torbay workforce. Above all she is calm, patient and understanding.
Dr Iman Barakat
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
very knowledgeable, always keen to help, hardworking, dedicated to learning, keeping up tp date and always committed to her professional development
Dr Hana Bashir
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Hard working kind knowledgeable brilliant.
Dr Paulina Connolly
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Paulina is a superb teacher she can explain even the most complex topic to juniors. She has a can do approach, however is able to delegate tasks when clinically appropriate. She promotes a good work life balance and the development of trainees.
Paulina is a great team leader; she supports her colleagues both with work and wellbeing. She shares her experiences, is pro-active in making improvements to the efficiency of day to day clinical work and always seems to have the up to date knowledge!
Dr Henry Daniels
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Henry is an awesome registrar. It is always a pleasure to see him on shift, he is enthusiastic and a massive team player. His energy when teaching is unmatched, and he is approachable for all the multidisciplinary team making him ideal for teaching sessions across the board.
Dr Stuart Davison
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
Stuart is hugely supportive towards the junior registrars that rotate through NDDH. His experience within his role has obviously made him highly competent in his role within the on-call rota. He also has roles with education and within the diabetes team.
Stuart is a joy to work with. He is a very experienced colleague and is happy to teach and share his knowledge and experience will all members of staff. He is excellent with parents and families of the babies he cares for. It is always reassuring to have him around during all situations but especially in an emergency.
A knowledgeable calming presence when he’s on. Runs our diabetes team and teaching for medical students fantastically. Glad he’s part of our team.
Stuart is a core member of our medical team. Whenever he is doing a ward shift we feel we are in safe hands with his wealth of knowledge and expertise, especially when we get a resus call. Stuart really listens to nursing staffs opinions and works in partnership to ensure the best care is provided for the patients. He builds excellent rapports with patients and their families providing thorough explanations and a kind bedside manner. Often Stuart had already done swabs or discharge paperwork before nurses have had chance to which really alleviates pressure on some shifts. He is much loved by the whole team! Within his diabetes role he has provided consistency in care for the patients and helps to educate nursing staff on the various pathways to help the patients and their families to navigate this illness and adapt to a new normal. I feel Stuart is thoroughly deserving of this award for being such pivotal leadership figure and role model to other doctors, and being so supportive of nursing staff.
Dr Laura Doherty
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Laura is a lovely senior trainee. She is exceptionally caring to all those she interacts with. Her dedication to paediatric oncology is commendable. She is supportive to her juniors and is an excellent teacher. I have no doubts that she will go on to be a brilliant consultant.
Dr Ash Gupte
Has been working at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Ash is one of those Professionals for whom diligence, resilience, hard work almost dwarfs the human that he is.
Apart from a constant enthusiastic presence for the team, patients, and nurses, Ash is someone for whom words may not express the value that he brings to the team.
His exceptional hard work with a smiling face in the midst of challenging clinical & logistic situations, demonstrates the high regard that he holds for always advocating & supporting the cause of the team and CYP.
This nomination recognises his Outstanding contribution over the years.
Ash is very dedicated to paediatrics, always picking up extra shifts to make sure there are no gaps. He is a fantastic team player and really takes the time to teach the junior members of the team. He is kind and caring towards both colleagues and patients. I always know it will be a good shift when working with Ash.
I am really pleased to nominate Ash Gupte for the Kate Westward Memorial Award for Senior Hero PAFTA, recognising his exceptional leadership, dedication, and unwavering support for both patients and his team.
Ash has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a hero in the nursing profession. His commitment to excellence in patient care is evident in every interaction, as he prioritises the needs and well-being of those he serves. Ash approaches each patient with compassion and empathy, ensuring they receive not just medical treatment but also emotional support during challenging times.
As a senior nurse, Ash leads by example, embodying the values of teamwork and collaboration. He fosters an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute. His approachable demeanour encourages open communication, allowing colleagues to seek guidance and support without hesitation. Ash takes the time to mentor junior staff, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience, which significantly enhances their professional development.
In times of crisis or high pressure, Ash remains a calm and steady presence. He navigates challenges with grace, rallying his team to work together efficiently and effectively. His ability to inspire confidence in others not only strengthens the team dynamic but also ensures that patient care remains the top priority.
Ash’s contributions extend beyond his immediate team; he actively collaborates between ED & paeds to improve processes and patient outcomes. His dedication to continuous improvement reflects his commitment to the highest standards of care.
In summary, Ash exemplifies the qualities of a true senior hero in nursing. His leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to his team and patients make him a deserving candidate for the Kate Westward Memorial Award.
Ash is an extremely well liked member of the paediatric team at Torbay. He always has a smiling face and so supportive of everyone. Parents and children love him and he has a friendly, warm communication style. He is constantly striving to develop his knowledge and expertise and is currently developing his knowledge in allergy and endocrine.
Ash is just great, everyone is always relieved when he is on shift!
Dr Fatma Hadid
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Fatma is brilliant. She is clearly very skilled and knowledgeable, and her plans for every baby are well thought out, thorough and efficient. She is always infinitely calm, not always easy on NICU, but invaluable when dealing with a sick baby both for the rest of the team and the parents. She’s a good teacher to any juniors who might have questions, is kind and compassionate to parents. Thanks Fatma – it’s a joy to work with you!
Dr Natasha Hart
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
She is one of the best registrar Doctors I have worked with. she is always, cheerful, helpful and available when you need advice. Her ongoing commitment to teaching and training is commendable. Her dedication to patients, families and colleagues are outstanding. I have worked with Tash for years and always feel happy and reassured when i see her on shift. Approachable and knowledgeable. A kind friendly face in the toughest of situations. I feel the most credible and valuable thing you can do in this job is for your colleagues to be happy for you to look after their own children and i would defiantly feel this way with Tash. She has such a lovely manner and air of calm. Thank you for all your hard work Tash, a massive asset to our team on Bramble.
Dr Meg Harty
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Meg is an excellent clinician, truly committed to the care of her patients and their families. She’s a fantastic team player and a wonderful senior – I have learned so much from being on shifts with her.
Dr Rachel Homer
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
Rachel is a fantastic paediatric doctor. She is compassionate, supportive and a wonderful role-model. Rachel is a doctor that, as a nursing team, we are very thankful when she is on shift as she always handles any situation with a calm, graceful confidence.
Dr Hannah Jackman
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Boosts team moral has amazing endurance to keep going on busy shifts and always cares about her patients.
Dr Manoj Jagadesh
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Manoj is a joy to work with, always bringing a smile and a ‘can do’ attitude. He jelled with the team so well and was really on a level with the nursing team, encompassing the one big team feel always. Manoj is passionate about his work and his role, his bedside manner is fantastic and the patients and parents felt confident and relaxed in his care. I am sure Manoj will go on to achieve great things.
The biggest kid in paediatrics!!
Any shift with Manoj is fun and you know you will be laughing your way through the day, but just watch your back because he is the biggest prankster and is always up for creating mischief! Pokémon go is his best friend!
Aside from that he is such a well respected doctor, he is patient, kind and compassionate. Patients and parents love him, he strives to provide the best care possible to his patients and goes above and beyond. Manoj is an excellent teacher to both medical staff & Nursing staff and is always keen to share his knowledge and skills. The nursing staff know they can rely on Manoj in any situation and he listens to their concerns without question.
His expert skills are in winding the nursing staff up, however we give as good as we get….. just remember this when you return from Bristol to Level 12 Manoj!!!!
Dr Sam Janoff
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Sam is such a calm, steady person to have on a team. He is thorough and detail focused, always polite, always considerate to the whole team. He cares deeply about his patients and leaves no stone unturned when considering a clinical problem. He
Also takes time to reflect – he genuinely wants to provide better care and has no ego about changing or improving his practice. I really admire this about him.
I’ve never met so knowledge and so modest doctor and person in my life .He represents everything what every doctor should be striving for. Absolutely ideal role model -inspiration to many
If Sam is on I know I am going to have a good shift. He is supportive but allows junior team members independence and the opportunity to learn and make decisions. He has a lovely manner with patients and families. He is knowledgeable, remains calm in an emergency and leads well. He is a pleasure to work with and is a kind and friendly colleague.
Dr Sarah Kibble
Has been working at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Sarah is an amazing paediatrician, colleague and exemplary support to her peers.
Sarah always cares about her colleagues; she is very empathetic with her patients and all members of the paediatric team.
It’s a pleasure to work with Sarah!
Dr Kibble is an exemplary paediatrician. As a foundation doctor, I was very nervous to be the SHO attending deliveries as I had minimal paediatric experience. Dr Kibble has supported me in gaining confidence and learning NLS by attending deliveries with me, initially working through the NLS algorithm with me, then supervising next to the resuscitaire and now by standing in theatre giving me more confidence in case I need help. When attending a delivery which required resuscitation, she regularly checked in with me during the resuscitation to check I felt comfortable with the airway, and led the team with confidence and kindness. She then offered me a hot and cold debrief which was very beneficial to my learning and to my emotional wellbeing. She has also gone out of her way to put on extra teaching for juniors out of her own time, attended complex NLS simulations on her admin time and she has stayed late when there was no evening registrar to help with a patient seizing until the consultant could attend. She has a kind and professional manner with parents and you can tell they feel more at ease after she has chatted with them.
Dr Leigh Martens
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Leigh is a hugely valued member of our team who consistently goes above and beyond for both her patients and colleagues, demonstrating excellence in all aspects of her work. She is passionate about and dedicated to neonatal practice, and works hard to ensure her peers and other members of the medical and nursing staff feel well supported, whether in difficult situations, in which she is always an incredibly reassuring presence, or in the non clinical environment during teaching sessions.
She has a beautiful calm and clear manner when interacting with families and always has their best interest at the centre of all her decision making, working collaboratively with them and the nursing team. I just absolutely love working alongside her – she’s a wonderful peer and an excellent mentor.
Dr Mike May
Has been working at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Mike came to us earlier this year and has fitted in seamlessly. He is well liked by all the staff who are lucky enough to have worked with him. He is a team player and very easy to get along with. Clinically he is excellent, makes the right decisions for patients and remains a safe pare of hands. He is great with the patients. He has a lovely approach when caring for them. Mike remains calm and collected in stressful situations which is an invaluable skill and has a positive impact on those around him. Mike really deserves this award as he is an all round excellent doctor.
Dr Jennifer Merrison-Hort
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
I have worked with Jenny for a number of years, both as a senior and fellow registrar. She is an incredible leader – leading by example and ensuring her team are well looked after. Similarly, she is a brilliant team player and is always willing to lend a hand with a smile on her face. Jenny is able to make parents and children feel at ease through her communication and bedside manner. Beyond clinical practise, Jenny also strives to improve working conditions for colleagues.
Dr Tom Naylor
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Tom is always happy to help the team and to share his knowledge and experiences specially to organised the SIM to all the Junior doctor and nurses. Tom is always happy to help the team and to share his knowledge and experiences specially to organised the SIM to all the Junior doctor and nurses.
Dr Cathy Osborn
Has been working at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Cathy is just the loveliest person you will ever meet! She is warm, friendly and just lovely all of the time. In addition she is the most amazing senior registrar with so much knowledge and competence, she is absolutely awe inspiring and such a positive role model for all members of the team. She readily finds time to teach and support all members of the team. She communicates extremely well with both children and their families and all members of the MDT. Cathy is always ready to help others, even if her own workload is large, she offers support with a smile. Despite all of this she is incredibly humble and I truly don’t think she knows how amazing she is.
A fantastic doctor and a great team-worker. Cathy is calm under pressure, taking everything within her stride and ensuring she looks out for her team. Her communication with patients and their parents is exceptional. I was very grateful to have Cathy as my senior on some particularly difficult night-shifts and learnt a lot from her ability to handle complex situations with professionalism and kindness.
Dr Jess Pales
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Jess is an incredible Specialty Doctor for the eating disorder service and most importantly, a wonderful person. She is thoughtful, supportive, passionate and a fantastic leader. Jess strives for the best possible care and consistently goes above and beyond for her patients and colleagues. She is incredibly knowledgeable and shares this knowledge with the team. Jess amazes me with her ability to juggle a huge number of complex tasks at once and never seems to drop the ball! She is always approachable and supportive and ensures all members of the team; nursing, dietitians, admin staff and more have the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions and she ensures they are considered and listened to.
Jess builds strong professional relationships with her patients which have been instrumental for enacting change in this complex patient group. She is curious and courageous, supporting innovation and challenging unhelpful perceptions from both staff and the families with whom she works. Her patients adore her and respect her and she is able to deliver challenging information and conversations compassionately and kindly.
Jess has a fantastic sense of humour and is able to lighten the atmosphere on difficult days. She regularly checks in with members of the team and seeks to acknowledge good practice and a job well done. Her passion, drive and care are seen and appreciated.
Dr Sathesh Sajithbhavan
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
Works very hard and is a great member of the team. Thank you Sathesh!
Sathtesh is a lovely person to work with . His clinical skills and knowledge are excellent and he is always willing to teach other members of the team. He is lovely with the babies and their parents and always a reassuring presence on the unit.
Dr Emma Shircliff
Has been working at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Emma is a wonderful person, she has a lovely bedside manner with the patients, but she’s also very supportive of nursing staff too. She’s simply wonderful & deserves any recognition she can get & more!
Emma is genuinely one of the most compassionate doctors I have ever had the privilege to work alongside. I always feel reassured when Emma is on duty, knowing that all patients are in exceptionally capable hands. Her dedication to the department and her commitment to patient care are outstanding. During my pediatric placement, I learned a great deal from her, and I am incredibly thankful for her patience and the insightful debriefs following challenging cases.
Emma is a brilliant registrar and is more than ready for the consultant role. She is diligent, hardworking and organised. Her communication skills are exemplary, especially teens who are struggling with their mental health. She is very good at understanding the situations of others. Her diagnostic skills and management plans are excellent. She is a great advocate for her patients and their families. She is also brilliant at keeping an eye on the well fair of the team and embodies all the RCPCH values.
Dr Megan Tombling
Has been working at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Megan is a fantastic registrar and a pleasure to work with.
She manages her workload efficiently supporting junior members of staff.
She works well within the paediatric team, and has the confidence to support the ED for advice when needed.
Her self confidence ensures that her patients and families feel comfortable with her clinical decision making, she communicates well with both children and their parents.
As a member of the nursing team – I feel she listens to any concerns I have she is a fab support to me when on shift. It won’t be long until Megan will be a consultant, of which I am 100% sure she will be amazing at.
Megan an absolutely fantastic doctor, she is so supportive in emergency situations and empowers, whilst guiding staff every day. She shows exemplary team working, leads everyone in the team, whilst her clinical skills are also amazing. I absolutely love working with Megan every day from when she first came to Exeter as a ST1 to now at the end of her training. She will make an amazing consultant and wish she could stay in Exeter.
Megan is an inspiration to paediatric trainees. She is incredibly hard working and displays fantastic leadership and team working skills. She is supportive of her junior colleagues, and I am always so pleased to see that I have been rostered to work with her. She always finds opportunities to teach trainees- whether that be clinical skills, case based discussions, or morning departmental teaching. She is hard working and proactive and always strives to provide excellent patient care. She has excellent communication skills both with patients and colleagues, and in a variety of clinical settings. She is certainly a role model!
Dr Betsy Wambua
Has been working at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Betsy is great to work with. She has excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. She is dedicated, hard working and a supportive team member. She has developed nice leadership skills and shows real progress in this area. Well done Betsy, keep up the good work!
Dr Victoria Wilson
Has been working at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Excellent resident doctor, great team working, effective contribution to junior doctors’ Rota management.
Vicky is a fantastic senior trainee. She is hard working and supportive of her team and it is always a great start to the day to see that she is on shift. She is extremely supportive and encouraging to junior colleagues.
She is great with families and is well liked and trusted by the parents of babies in her care.
Vicky is also flexible, easy going and willing to change her role or shifts to help the service and to help colleagues.
Dr Matthew Young
Has been working at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Matt is an exceptional advocate for those under his care. He is an excellent SAS doctor in the Emergency Department for both adult and paediatric patients. He leads by example, he is friendly and approachable at all times. There has never been a time that I have felt unable to ask Matt a question, he is always willing to educate us nurses on things that we do not know about. Matt is an outstanding role-model to his peers in the Emergency Department.
Matt is always happy and puts a smile on people’s faces. He communicates excellently with parents and their children, always offering reassurance and a calm approach to every emergency. He makes everyone feel at ease due to his confidence and knowledge.
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We use the nomination text and categories as provided by those who submit the nomination.
If there are any issues with the nomination pages (errors, people placed in the wrong category or any other concerns) please email s.janoff@nhs.net
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We will use the following criteria for creating the shortlist and choosing the final winner:
Senior Hero
1. Demonstrates excellence in fulfilment of their work in Paediatrics
2. Demonstrates exemplary team working, leadership, role-modelling and support to peers
3. Demonstrates excellence in their interaction with patients and their families
4. Embodies the values of the RCPCH
PAFTAs 