Simone Mingay, specialist healthcare team manager for the Bedfordshire and Luton services for people who have a learning disability, has received an Improving Service User Experience Award at the Trust's annual staff awards. ELFT provides community and mental health services in east London, Bedfordshire and Luton.
Simone was recognised for her exceptional dedication to improving access to health services for people with a learning disability across Bedfordshire and Luton, particularly those from communities who often face the greatest barriers to care.
“She listens to service users and communities, understands their needs, and works tirelessly to remove barriers and improve access,” read her citation.
“Her work has made a real difference and deserves to be recognised.”
Simone has worked in the NHS since 1998. She lives in Bedford and was a student at the former Pilgrim Upper School in the town.
“It is all a bit overwhelming and equally humbling to receive this award,” she said.
“Receiving this award means people think you are doing a good job, which is genuinely humbling,” she said.
“I also see this as recognition for the entire health equalities service. I am proud to work alongside such an amazing group of people.”
Simone was also awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) during the summer by nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute. The title is not an award for past service but indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.
The health equalities service works with service users, carers, community groups, GPs, hospitals and other partners in health prevention and health promotion with a clear objective of helping learning disability service users improve their health and to reduce hospital admissions.
Other highlights for Simone and the team include:
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Simone will showcase her service’s project to create an accessible outdoor garden space at Twinwoods in Clapham at the Queen’s Nurses day on March 19 2026.
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Her team were also named as finalists in the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ national annual RCPsych Awards 2025. The team were shortlisted in the psychiatric team of the year: intellectual disability category.
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The team have also been chosen to present their Physical Health QI Project at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' QI Forum in November.