The 2026 MyCleaning and MyPorter Awards have taken place, with teams and individuals across Medirest, Compass Group UK & Ireland’s healthcare sector, acknowledged for their work within NHS hospitals across the UK.

The awards are organised in collaboration with NHS England and receive hundreds of entries from across the UK’s healthcare sector. The awards recognise the unsung heroes within healthcare, shining a spotlight on the essential work they do.

The 2026 Medirest winners are:

• Domestic of the Year: Gary Powell – Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

• Newcomer of the Year: Laure-lee Keuler – Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Team of the Year: Whiston Hospital A&E Cleaning Team – Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

• Auditor of the Year: Mandy Whalley – Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Audrey Johnstone – Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Audrey was recognised for being a constant, trusted, and deeply respected presence at Blackpool Teaching Hospital. Since joining the hospital in May 1998, Audrey’s career has been defined by commitment, resilience, and an unwavering belief that high standards of cleanliness are fundamental to patient safety, dignity, and care. Her journey from frontline domestic to Senior Supervisor, and most recently Domestic Operations Manager, is testament to a lifetime of service that has shaped not only the standards of the hospital, but the people within it.

For Audrey, Blackpool Teaching Hospital has never been just a workplace. It is her local hospital, used by her family, friends, and wider community, and this personal connection has driven her passion and pride for ensuring the hospital environment is safe, clean, and welcoming for every patient and visitor who walks through its doors.

Audrey said: “Receiving this award is so humbling, after reading all the other nominations I feel so privileged to have been chosen as the winner.

Domestic services are integral in a hospital to ensure a clean, safe environment for all our patients, staff and visitors - often going unnoticed as we go about our duties. I feel very privileged to have spent my career supporting my colleagues and our patients.”

The 2026 Medirest winners are:

• Team of the Year: Peterborough Portering Team – North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

• Porter of the Year: Idris Mohammed – London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Gavin Hewitt – North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

After almost 30 years of unwavering commitment to Peterborough City Hospital, Gavin has become far more than a porter or a supervisor; he is a cornerstone of the hospital community and a role model whose influence will endure for generations.

Gavin began his NHS journey in 1995, joining the portering service with humility, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to help others. Three decades later, now serving as Porter Supervisor, he continues to bring the same warmth, integrity and work ethic that defined his very first days. His career is not simply measured in years, but in the countless lives he has touched — patients reassured, colleagues supported, and teams strengthened through his presence.

Gavin said: “Receiving this recognition after nearly 30 years at Peterborough City Hospital is incredibly special. For me, the role has always been about people, supporting patients when they may be anxious or vulnerable and helping colleagues deliver the care the NHS is known for.

Porters are part of the heartbeat of a hospital. We help keep everything moving so clinical teams can focus on treating patients, and I’ve always taken pride in doing the job with compassion, professionalism, and respect.

I feel very proud to have spent my career supporting the NHS and the community it serves, and even prouder to have worked alongside so many dedicated colleagues who care deeply about the patients we look after every day."

Russell Blake, Managing Director - Healthcare at Compass Group UK & Ireland, commented: “Congratulations to our Medirest winners and finalists – we are very proud of you all. These awards highlight the people who are truly at the heart of our hospitals - keeping everything running smoothly with their performance with heart!

“I would like to give a special mention to Audrey and Gavin – they deserve this recognition to mark their commitment and achievements – thank you for your unwavering dedication.”

Medirest, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, operates across over 20 NHS partner healthcare Trusts, employing several thousand people to deliver the very best standards in services such as catering, cleaning, portering and security.