Countess of Chester Hospital’s Kirsty Simmonds named North West rising star of the year at government awards
A dedicated member of staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital has been recognised with a prestigious regional award for her commitment to learning and leadership – a win that reflects the hospital’s growing strength in developing its staff and delivering high-quality care to the Chester community.
Kirsty Simmonds, Service Manager in Women and Children’s Services, was named North West Rising Star at the Department for Education’s Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2025, held at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool on 14 October.
Kirsty joined the Trust aged 16 and is now completing her fourth NHS apprenticeship – a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University. This is an exceptionally rare achievement: most NHS apprentices complete just one or two.
Over the past eight years, Kirsty has worked in a range of roles including Apprentice Administrator, Business Performance Assistant, Assistant Service Manager and now Service Manager. Her experience spans multiple specialties – Plastic Surgery, Urology, Breast, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Neonatal and the Milk Bank – giving her a broad understanding of hospital operations and patient care.
Kirsty said: “I'm incredibly grateful to have been nominated for this award, and I’m honoured to have been chosen as the winner. Starting my NHS career at 16, I never imagined I’d have the chance to grow in so many ways – both as a person and as a professional. Every apprenticeship has given me new skills and confidence, but most importantly, it’s helped me to make a real difference for our patients and their families. The support from my colleagues and mentors has meant everything, especially as we’ve moved into our new Women and Children’s Building. It’s a reminder of why I’m so passionate about what we do – and why I want to keep improving care for our community. I hope my journey shows others that apprenticeships can open doors and help you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.”
Kirsty’s win is not just a personal milestone – it’s a proud moment for the Trust and a clear example of how investing in staff development leads to better care for local patients.
Molly Whelan, Early Careers Lead at the Countess of Chester Hospital said: “Kirsty’s success is a brilliant example of how investing in our people leads to better outcomes for patients. She’s a role model for what apprenticeships can achieve – and we’re incredibly proud of her.”
The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards, now in their 22nd year, are England’s largest celebration of apprenticeships and skills. In 2025, over 1,280 entries were received from 426 towns and cities. Kirsty won the Lloyds Banking Group Rising Star of the Year Award for the North West – a nomination-only category recognising exceptional progress and potential. Only one winner is selected per region, across all sectors and apprenticeship levels.
As Kirsty prepares to represent the North West at the National Awards in London on 26 November, her story is a reminder of how the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – which runs the Countess of Chester Hospital as well as two other hospitals in the county – is investing in its people to deliver safer, smarter and more compassionate care for the Chester community and beyond.
Apprenticeships at the Trust aren’t just about career development – they directly improve patient care. By bringing in fresh skills, up-to-date knowledge and a strong commitment to learning, apprentices help teams work more effectively and deliver safer, more responsive services. From clinical roles to Information Technology and Human Resources, they’ve strengthened every part of the hospital – boosting morale, retaining talent and improving the care patients receive. Nationally, NHS apprenticeship programmes are recognised for building a more skilled and confident workforce.