Helen Tooby is a Well Child Tracheostomy Nurse Specialist at Leeds Children’s Hospital and earlier this week she was named as winner of the Well Child Nurse Award in the prestigious national 2025 Well Child Awards, in association with GSK.
Now in its 20th year, the Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children and celebrate the inspirational achievements of seriously ill children and those who care for them.
Helen was nominated by Leeds Children’s Hospital colleague, Emma Gilpin and was chosen from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Nurse Award. This was category sponsored by the Royal College of Nursing, recognising her extraordinary ability to combine clinical excellence with genuine empathy.
Helen, who became a WellChild Nurse in 2017, has been a lifeline for families ever since. Helen supports children with complex medical needs with tracheostomies and provides expert clinical care alongside unwavering compassion and dedication. Over the past year, Helen has shouldered much of the tracheostomy service during a period of unprecedented demand. No matter how long the day or how heavy the workload, she works tirelessly to ensure every child is safe, every family supported and every detail taken care of.
She is especially valued for her ability to combine clinical excellence with heartfelt empathy, guiding families through some of their most overwhelming moments, such as learning to care for a child’s tracheostomy for the first time. Her patient teaching style, reassurance and commitment often extend well beyond her shifts, transforming fear into confidence for countless families.
In her nomination for Helen, Emma said:
‘Helen is not just a nurse; she is a lifeline for so many. Her work has been nothing short of life-changing, and she embodies the very essence of what it means to be a Nurse. Helen stands out as a beacon of hope and excellence in her field, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition’
Helen received her award at a star-studded ceremony in London, where she met Well Child Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, at a private reception ahead of the event.
Royal College of Nursing Chief Nursing Officer Lynn Woolsey said:
‘Helen is a truly inspiring example of the difference nursing makes to the lives of children, young people, and families. Tracheostomy care can be daunting and distressing, but her compassion, skill and expertise has helped transform lives. She personifies the best of our profession, delivering compassionate and expert care every day. Nursing is an incredible career and I hope this award helps to highlight the extraordinary contribution those in the profession make to all those in their care.’
Congratulations to Helen and thank you to Well Child for this fantastic recognition for one of our Leeds Children’s Hospital colleagues.