Doctor wins award for improving neonatal jaundice care

A neonatal consultant here at Medway has won an award for her pioneering work to improve the recognition, assessment and care of neonatal jaundice in babies with darker skin tones.

Dr Helen Gbinigie, who works on our Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit, won the Inclusive Leader of the Year – Strategic / System Impact category at the National B.A.M.E Health and Care Awards 2026.

She was nominated for her leadership in creating, planning and leading the Jaundice in Darker Skin Tone Babies Programme, a national project that tackles inequalities in the care of babies with neonatal jaundice and helps ensure fairer care for all newborns. To date the programme has trained over 1,200 healthcare professionals across more than 80 NHS organisations across the UK.

The judges said: “This leader translated a clearly identified health inequality into sustained national change in neonatal care. Through co-production, representative education, workforce development and implementation across all four UK nations, they have helped embed more culturally responsive practice at scale.”

Judges praised both the reach of the work and the care behind it, recognising a leader whose inclusive thinking has grown into a national programme with the potential to improve experience and outcomes for babies, families and staff.

Dr Helen Gbinigie smiling at the camera while wearing glasses and a beige and black striped top.

Reflecting on her win Dr Gbinigie said: “I am honoured to have won the award.

“Creating long-term change requires joint working, compassion and a shared commitment to equity. I am proud of what I have achieved, working in partnership with colleagues at the hospital, Kent and Medway Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) and across healthcare systems regionally and nationally.

“I hope this award shines a light on the importance of building inclusive cultures and driving meaningful change for both our workforce and the communities we serve.”

Helen was among 140 individuals and teams shortlisted in 19 categories at the awards which celebrate the outstanding achievements of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) professionals, teams and organisations whose innovation, compassion and leadership are helping to shape a more inclusive and equitable health and care system.

In addition, our Chief Nursing Officer Evonne Hunt recently won the Nursing Excellence category at the Black Healthcare Awards which are organised by the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN).

Chief Nursing Officer Evonne Hunt is pictured wearing a red dress and holding her award. She is pictured with with Bernadette Thompson OBE, Director of People and Culture at North Middlesex University Hospital and Community Service, who is presenting he with her award.

Bernadette Thompson OBE, Director of People and Culture at North Middlesex University Hospital and Community Service, who was on the judging panel for the awards, visited the hospital to present Evonne (pictured right) with her award as she was unable to attend the ceremony.

Evonne said: “It is a real honour to receive this award. I am passionate about ensuring everyone feels valued, respected and able to achieve their full potential, whether they are a patient, colleague or member of our community.

“While I am grateful for this recognition, it is also a reflection of the collective efforts of our nursing teams and the wider Trust, whose commitment to compassionate and inclusive care makes a positive difference every day.”

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