Proud moment for Chester as Countess of Chester Hospital duo celebrated at No.10 NHS birthday event

Two members of staff from the Countess of Chester Hospital have been invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate the NHS’s 78th birthday. The event brought together a small number of NHS workers from across England, chosen for their extraordinary dedication, compassion and impact.

Practice Development Lead Nurse Kelsey Jones and Women and Children’s Service Manager Kirsty Simmonds were among the 17 people selected from the whole of NHS England’s North West region. Their invitation comes during a year of major progress for the Trust, which was recently named one of the top 10 most improved Trusts in England and achieved the biggest improvement of any Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside in the latest NHS Oversight Framework.

Kirsty, who began her NHS career at the Countess of Chester Hospital at just 16, said the invitation felt like a milestone she never expected. “Apprenticeships have helped me build skills, confidence and a career I’m proud of. I hope my journey shows young people in Chester that you can start anywhere, grab every opportunity your job offers, and still achieve something incredible.”

Kirsty has completed four NHS apprenticeships – a rare achievement – and last year won Young Person or Apprentice of the Year at the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Awards, before being named North West Rising Star of the Year at the Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards, selected from more than 1,100 entries across the private and public sectors.

Kelsey was recognised for transforming how nurses at the Countess of Chester Hospital are trained, supported and developed. Over the past year she has brought training teams together, strengthened support for new starters and created a clearer, more consistent approach to developing nursing skills.

Kelsey said: “When I took on this piece of work a year ago, we knew we wanted to strengthen nursing practice and give staff the confidence and skills they need to deliver the best care. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together – safer practice, stronger skills and better support for staff. When nurses feel confident and well trained, it means better care for patients and helps prevent things like falls, infections or pressure ulcers.”

Sue Pemberton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “Kirsty and Kelsey’s invitations to No.10 are a wonderful moment for them and for Chester.

“Kirsty and Kelsey represent the very best of what the NHS can achieve when talented people are supported to grow, lead and make a difference. Their dedication is inspiring, and it’s uplifting to see Chester on the national stage.”

For local people, the recognition of Kelsey and Kirsty is a reminder of the exceptional talent working inside their hospital. Staff across the Trust are delivering safer care, modernising services and shaping the future of the NHS, supported by the Trust’s ambition to grow as a teaching‑focused organisation.

Their achievements come at a time of sustained improvement for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Over the past nine months the Trust has risen to 98th place out of 134 in the national NHS performance rankings, moving up from near the bottom. Emergency care has improved following a £7.1 million upgrade to A&E and related departments, waiting times for planned treatment have reduced, and the number of people waiting for treatment has fallen by nearly 17%. More patients are now starting treatment within the NHS’s 18‑week standard, with average waits reduced from 23 weeks to 15 weeks.

The Trust has also opened major new facilities, including the award‑winning £110 million Women and Children’s Building, with the Chester Haematology Centre set to open later this summer. These developments form part of a long‑term plan to modernise services and strengthen care for the community.