Welcome to Belfast Trust Chairman’s Awards 2026
This evening we are celebrating you and your teams for the incredible work you do and care you provide across the Trust.
This year we received a record breaking number of submissions for consideration and your entry has been selected as one of the contenders out of the 235 nominations.
Congratulations on being shortlisted and we hope you have a fantastic night!
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Chairman's Awards Evening
6.15pm Arrival of guests Drinks served in the Rotunda
7.15pm Welcome and Introduction by Professor Stuart Elborn, Chairman 7.30pm Dinner served following Chairman’s Address 8.45pm Performance by Equal Notes 9.00pm Chairman’s Speech and Awards Ceremony 9.45pm Thanks and Close by Professor Stuart Elborn, Chairman 
Main Course
Oven roasted Irish chicken supreme, with tarragon and thyme jus, creamy mash, buttered carrot and seasonal greens
Vegetarian dish
Spring vegetable tagine and herb cous cous
Dessert
Toffee meringue gateau with freshly whipped cream and warm toffee sauce
Thompson’s family blend tea or Johnson’s after dinner blend Coffee
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Acute Innovation of the Year Category
In this category, we wanted to hear about an innovative piece of work which was undertaken in the acute setting. We want to know about a problem you had to solve or a new innovation and explain what you did, what you achieved, and the impact this had on patients, clients, service users or staff.
To Consent or not Consent – Advanced Orthoptist Role
Directorate: Anaesthetics, Critical Care, Theatres, Sterile Services and Surgery
Ophthalmology is facing national capacity challenges. Using advanced orthoptists consenting for and assisting in strabismus surgery, increases ophthalmology capacity and reduces strabismus surgical waiting lists.
Happy we couldn’t keep you longer.
Directorate: Unscheduled Care
An innovative multi-disciplinary solution for long ED trolley/specialty assessment waits and Acute Medical bed pressures improving the experience for patients and staff.
Tube Fed, Home Led
Directorate: ACOPS
Outpatient management of Head and Neck radiotherapy patients requiring a nasogastric tube(NGT), when clinically appropriate, reduces inpatient bed days, lowers costs, and eases pressure on NHS resources.
ALERT – Preparing for the next high consequence infectious disease through simulation.
Directorate: Unscheduled Care
A high- fidelity simulation program empowering healthcare teams to respond swiftly, safely and collaboratively to high consequence infectious disease threats in real world clinical environment.
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Community Innovation of the Year Category
In this category we wanted to hear about an innovative piece of work that was undertaken in the community. We want to know about a problem you had to solve or a new innovation and explain what you did, what you achieved, and the impact this had on patients, clients, service users or staff.
In-Reaching to Outreach – Providing care in family homes for children with a disability
Directorate: Children’s Community Services
The newly developed and expanding children with a disability In-reach service provides essential support to children and families in their home.
Baby, Bump & Me Antenatal Support Group
Directorate: Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Psychological Services
This is a semi-structured activity based antenatal support group. This pilot group was offered to expectant mums open to the Perinatal Mental Health Service.
Changing Lanes for Heart Failure Patients in the Community
Directorate: Adult Community, Older People’s Services and Allied Health ProfessionalsÂ
The only Community Heart Failure Service in Northern Ireland/ Ireland delivering subcutaneous furosemide at home, improving housebound heart failure patients experience.
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Excellence in Partnership and Collaboration
This category celebrates the collaboration between teams in our Trust and the cross-agency partnerships ongoing in communities. We wanted to hear how they have improved patient outcomes through excellent partnership working within the Trust or with external/community organisations working on the ground.
Parents as Partners in Care
Directorate: Child Health & NISTAR Services, Maternity, Dental, Gynae & Sexual Health
Empowering families through the Family Integrated Care Parent Passport and Virtual Neonatal Tour, standardising care and enhancing collaboration and compassionate, informed partnerships.
New Belfast Community Palliative Care Hub
Directorate: Adult Community, Older People’s Services and Allied Health Professionals
Belfast Trust, Marie Curie and NI Hospice have collaborated to transform how community palliative care services are delivered across Belfast.
PACSS
Directorate: Children’s Community Services
The only Community Heart Failure Service in Northern Ireland/ Ireland delivering subcutaneous furosemide at home, improving housebound heart failure patients experience.
The BHSCT Health visiting (HV) Service achieves UNICEF GOLD.
Directorate: Children’s Community Services
The BHSCT Health visiting (HV) Service has successfully achieved the highly prestigious BFIUNICEF Gold award for sustainability in providing high standards of care within infant feeding practice.
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Excellence in Communication and Engagement Category
We wanted to hear excellent ways of communications that took place with service users or staff. We wanted to know what they did and the difference it is making.
Heat Mapping
Directorate: Children’s Community Services
This initiative analyses CCS data and presents information in innovative ways to inform engagements with community partners to address pressures, identified through Heat Mapping approaches.
Being Belfast
Directorate: HR and Organisational Development
A values-led onboarding experience using communication, digital tools and cultural engagement to welcome new starters, align expectations and connect people from offer today one.
HEEADSSS Assessment Tool Website and APP
Directorate: Unscheduled Care
Health and wellbeing screening tool for young people aged 13-20, mapped to local and national organisations that offer help and support.
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Power of Technology and Innovation
This category celebrates projects which make better use of data insights, digital and medical technology, and innovation. We wanted to know what difference it made for access to services, information for patients and service users, and/or improving support for staff.
Capsule Sponge Testing for the Detection of Barnetts Oesophagus
Directorate: Cancer and Specialist Services
Implementation of capsule sponge testing for reflux patients and the surveillance of Barrett’s oesophagus in order to provide a more rapid, accurate and cost-effective service.
Thoracic Robotic-assisted (Lung surgery), first in NI
Directorate: Anaesthetics, Critical Care, Theatres, Sterile Services and Surgery
The beginning of Robotic-assisted thoracic (lung) surgery in Northern Ireland as a Regional Service.
Developing Excellence in Dementia Care Using Virtual Reality Technology
Directorate: Adult Community, Older People’s Services and Allied Health Professionals
Working collaboratively with staff, service users, carers and our community to improve training opportunities and provide a better understanding of the sensory needs of people living with dementia.
The RBHSC B-HIVE – the unique, highly-immersive learning environment creating a buzz in RBHSC
Directorate: Child Health & NISTAR Services, Maternity, Dental, Gynae & Sexual Health
The RBHSC B-HIVE – the opening of a unique and highly-immersive virtual learning environment for staff, students and the children and young people of the RBHSC.
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Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing Category
In this category we wanted to hear about an innovative piece of work that you have undertaken to help improve mental health and wellbeing. Explain what you did and how the programme has benefitted service users, staff, patients or clients.
PATH – Psychiatric Assessment and Treatment Hub
Directorate: Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Psychological Services
PATH is an innovative compassionate, therapeutic alternative to EDs for patients awaiting mental health admission, alleviating pressure across the Trust and improving patient outcomes
Introducing the newest CAMHS recruit, Assistance Dog Riley
Directorate: Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Psychological Services
CAMHS have fostered a dog from Assistance Dogs NI as part of our assessments and individual work with young people to provide Animal Assisted Therapy
Self-administration of medications (SAM) in an inpatient mental health setting
Directorate: Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Psychological Services
The initiation, monitoring and review of self-administration of medications (SAM) in an inpatient mental health rehabilitation ward.
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Lifetime Contribution
This category recognises an individual who has devoted substantial years of service to Belfast Trust and provided an excellent contribution to service users and patients and/or a better place to work for those who will follow them. Detailing how they have worked with dedication, how they have gone the extra mile and the impact this has made to others.
Margaret Rogan, Consultant Midwife, Maternity Service
Directorate: Child Health & NISTAR Services, Maternity, Dental, Gynae & Sexual Health
Margaret has provided exceptional dedication and leadership for more than 40 years of midwifery service within the Belfast Trust. She has championed compassionate maternity care, founded the Birth Choices Clinic mentored professionals and influenced policy to leave a lasting legacy within maternity care.
Dr Bernie Corcoran, Consultant in Palliative Care
Directorate: Cancer and Specialist Services
Dr Corcoran is a leading Northern Ireland palliative care clinician and has championed person-centred excellence, trained colleagues, led services and influenced cancer care, leaving behind an immense regional legacy.
Anne Morrison, Manager, The Child Care Centre
Directorate: Children’s Community Services
Anne is a highly respected social worker who has transformed child protection and support services in Northern Ireland leaving a lasting legacy through leadership, innovation and compassion.