National award recognises Mid Yorkshire volunteers’ commitment to patient safety | News

Three Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust volunteers have received national recognition after winning a prestigious award for their work to improve patient safety and experience.

Patient Safety Partners Bob Morse, Denise Collinson and Dimitra Mitsa were recognised at the 2026 Picker Experience Network Awards, with their "Be That One Person" initiative winning the Patient Involvement in Patient Safety category.

The Picker Experience Network Awards are the leading celebration of best practice in improving people's experiences of health and care, recognising organisations and individuals who place patients at the heart of service improvement.

The Trust's Patient Safety Partners were shortlisted for their work championing patient-centred care and ensuring the patient voice is embedded throughout the organisation. Their "Be That One Person" initiative encourages staff to recognise the lasting impact that a single interaction can have on a patient, family member or colleague.

The initiative has become a powerful reminder that everyone has the opportunity to make a positive difference and leave a meaningful legacy through compassion, kindness and accountability.

Working alongside colleagues across the Trust, Bob, Denise and Dimitra have developed patient safety training videos and presentations, helping staff understand how individual actions influence both patient experience and safety. They have also embedded the "Be That One Person" message into meetings, safety reviews and complaint processes across the organisation.

The trio are members of a panel that reviews anonymous complaint responses, helping ensure they are compassionate, considered and focused on the experiences of patients and their families. Their involvement has contributed to improvements in the quality of responses and has been accompanied by positive feedback from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Clare Blackburn, Head of Patient Experience at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said: "This national award is a fantastic achievement and thoroughly deserved recognition for Bob, Denise and Dimitra. As Patient Safety Partners, they bring invaluable insight, challenge and support that helps us continually improve the care we provide.

"The 'Be That One Person' initiative is a simple but powerful concept that reminds us that every interaction matters. Through their passion and commitment, they have helped embed the patient voice more deeply into our culture and our decision-making."

The award judges recognised the initiative's contribution to creating an open, learning-focused culture where staff and patients feel able to raise concerns, speak honestly about safety and contribute to continuous improvement.

By encouraging active listening, openness and respectful conversations, the initiative is helping build trust and psychological safety across the organisation while supporting safer, higher-quality care for patients.

Bob Morse, Volunteer and Patient Safety Partner, said: "We are incredibly proud to receive this award on behalf of all those who have supported the initiative. The message behind 'Be That One Person' is that every one of us has the ability to make a positive difference through our actions, no matter how big or small.

"Patient Safety Partners play an important role in helping organisations see care through the eyes of patients and families. We hope this recognition helps spread that message even further and continues to inspire people to put patients at the centre of everything they do."

The award-winning initiative continues to be embedded across the Trust as part of its ongoing commitment to improving patient safety, patient experience and organisational learning.