One year of ROSE and IRIS: celebrating our exceptional staff
It’s been one year since we launched our ROSE and IRIS awards – two recognition schemes designed to celebrate the dedication, compassion, and excellence of staff across DCHS.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve received more than 500 nominations, each one a testament to the incredible work of our colleagues. Staff from every part of the organisation – including nurses, therapists, receptionists, admin teams, and volunteers – have been recognised for going above and beyond to care for patients, support each other, and live our values every single day.
The Recognition of Staff Excellence (ROSE) award is a public-to-staff award, giving patients, families and carers the opportunity to say a heartfelt “thank you” to a member of staff who made a real difference in their care. Whether it's an act of extraordinary kindness, clinical excellence, or simply being there when it mattered most, ROSE awards shine a light on the everyday heroes working across our services.
The Inspirational Recognition of Inclusive Staff (IRIS) award is our internal nomination scheme, allowing staff to recognise fellow colleagues or teams who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, leadership, and compassion. With five nomination categories – including outstanding service, quality improvement, compassionate care, and inclusive leadership – the IRIS award showcases the depth of talent and dedication within our 4,300-strong workforce.
Chief Executive Jim Austin said: “The ROSE and IRIS awards are about recognising the human moments that define healthcare - the kindness, the exceptional care, and the teamwork that gets us through the toughest days.
“After one year, it’s been incredibly moving to see just how much these gestures of appreciation mean to our staff. Please do keep nominations coming in and let’s keep celebrating what makes DCHS special – our people.”
Congratulations to all our ROSE and IRIS nominees and winners - we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for everything you do.
To nominate a healthcare worker for a ROSE award and share how they made a difference to you, visit: Recognition Of Staff Excellence (ROSE) Awards
To nominate a colleague for an IRIS award, visit: Inclusive Recognition of Inspirational Staff (IRIS) Awards