Patient Experience Week 2026 – Our festival of Stories

For patient experience week 2026 we decided to take Care Opinion around the trust in the form of a roadshow. During the week we engaged with 24 different services and visited 13 sites, meeting incredible staff, hearing powerful stories, and supporting teams to use feedback to make meaningful change. It’s been a week full of connection, learning, and celebration — and we’re excited to share some highlights.

                                               Reaching More Services Than Ever

During the week we engaged with teams and provided support across a wide range of services, including:

• Droitwich: IV Therapy, Podiatry, Early Intervention in Dementia, MSK Physiotherapy, Neighbourhood Team.
• Hereford: Admiral Nurses, Perinatal, Occupational Therapy for both Mental Health wards
• PoWCH: Podiatry, MSK Physiotherapy, Neighbourhood Team, Minor Injuries Unit, Primrose Ward, Lickey Ward, Cottage Ward, Learning Disabilities, Pharmacy
• Worcestershire: Studdert Kennedy House - Worcester Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, Kings Court 2 - Hospital at Home Team, Elgar Unit -  Holt Ward & Athelon Ward
• Community Stroke and CAMHS Anchor

Every visit has been an opportunity to listen, learn, and help teams build confidence in using patient stories to improve care.

                                                Training That Makes a Difference

During the week we delivered:

• face‑to‑face training
• Online training
• Plus sent out a recorded session to be watched by many more colleagues

And the impact speaks for itself:

• 80% of staff reported an increase in knowledge
• 63% said they now feel very comfortable asking for feedback

                                        Celebrating Excellence Through Awards

One of the most joyful parts of our week has been recognising the people and teams who go above and beyond.

Our categories were — Unsung Hero, Care Opinion Champion, Change Planned, Team Award, and Individual Award.

Read the winning nominations here

Award Nominations - Winners.pdf

• Individual Winners

Heather Ivey - Individual

““So lovely to give Heather the recognition she deserves. Well done again on your hard work.”. — Kirsty, Admiral Nurse Team Lead.

Sharon Robey - Champion

Team Winners

• Community Stroke – Planned Change

• Cottage Ward – Team

“We are incredibly proud to receive the Team of the Year award and will display it with pride.” — Ella Adams, Ward Manager, Cottage Ward

• Hospital at Home – Team

"How lovely and well deserved!" - Kate Pike, Associate Director, Integrated Community Services

• CAMHs Anchor – Unsung Hero

"This is wonderful news! I am so delighted for the team, as they truly are fantastic" - Helen Bolt, CAMHS Locality Service Manager.

                                                Stories That Shape Change

Between them, Kate and Helen collected an impressive 33 stories from 19 different services:

Each story represents a person’s experience, generously shared to help improve care for others. We’re grateful to every staff member who responded with openness, empathy, and a commitment to learning.

                                        Social Media: Reaching Even More People

Our work didn’t stop at in‑person visits and training. This year, we also used social media to amplify positive stories, celebrate staff, and share learning more widely.

Across six posts, we saw:

• 458 reactions
•  68 comments
•  36 shares

These numbers reflect more than engagement — they show a community that is proud, supportive, and eager to celebrate great care. Every like, comment, and share helped spread recognition further across the organisation and beyond.  

                                                          

                                                                  Looking Ahead

This year has shown what’s possible when teams embrace feedback, celebrate success, and stay curious about the experiences of the people they care for. We’re proud of the progress made — and even more excited about what comes next.

Thank you to every service, every staff member, and every storyteller who has been part of this journey. Together, we’re building a culture where listening leads to learning, and learning leads to better care.