Patients, families and members of the public have had their say, and the three finalists for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (WWL) People’s Choice Award 2026 can now be revealed.
As part of this year’s STAR (Staff Thanks and Recognition) Awards, the Trust invited members of the public, patients and their families to nominate a WWL staff member who had made an outstanding difference to their experience of care.
From offering compassion and reassurance at the most difficult of times, to advocating for people and going above and beyond to make sure they feel heard, valued and cared for, the People’s Choice Award celebrates those colleagues whose kindness and dedication have left a lasting impression.
Following the nomination period, which ran from August until early October, a judging panel selected three outstanding finalists.
They are:
- Nicola Mount, Gynaecology Nurse Specialist, Leigh Infirmary
- Sam Barnsley, Bereavement Midwife, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan
- Amber Broughton, Specialist Community Outreach Nurse, Health Outreach and Inclusion Team
Nominated for the compassion and reassurance she provides to families during some of the most difficult and emotional moments they can face, one family described how Nicola Mount supported them through the heartbreak of two pregnancy losses, ensuring they felt seen, listened to and cared for. When they later returned during a successful pregnancy, carrying the anxiety of their previous experiences, they described Nicola Mount as their “lifejacket”, helping them overcome their fears and giving them hope and strength.
Sam Barnsley was nominated by a family she supported following the devastating loss of their baby boy, and who she continued to support as they navigated a subsequent pregnancy. Understanding the anxiety and trauma the family carried with them, Sam listened, reassured and went above and beyond to provide a sense of safety when their fears became overwhelming. The family described Sam as an “extraordinary person who has made a life-changing difference.”
Finally, Amber Broughton was nominated for her dedication to supporting some of the most underrepresented people in the community, helping them to access healthcare and advocating for those who can too often feel overlooked, unheard or excluded. Described as someone who refuses to give up on people, Amber builds trust, challenges services when needed and ensures the individual remains at the heart of their care. One person she supported said: “She talks to me like a person and a human being, rather than seeing me simply as someone who is homeless or as a problem that needs fixing.”
WWL’s Chief Nursing Officer, Kev Parker-Evans, added: “The People’s Choice Award is incredibly special because the nominations come directly from our patients, their families and members of our community. Every nomination tells a personal story about a member of staff who has made a real and lasting difference to someone’s life.
“Reading the nominations was incredibly moving and choosing just three finalists was exceptionally difficult. The kindness, compassion and dedication that came through in every story was a powerful reminder of the impact our colleagues have on people, often at some of the most difficult or vulnerable moments of their lives.
“Nicola, Sam and Amber should feel immensely proud of the difference they have made to the people they have cared for and supported. I would like to congratulate all three and wish them the very best of luck at this year’s STAR Awards.”
Colleagues from across WWL will be celebrated at the fully sponsored STAR Awards 2026 ceremony at The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan, on Friday 13th November.