Published on: 12 September 2024
Two Derbyshire Healthcare members of staff have been named as finalists for work carried out within the NHS at a national awards scheme run by Asian NHS professionals. 
Both Dr Rais Ahmed, a Consultant Psychiatrist, and Dr Subodh Dave, also a Consultant Psychiatrist, are in the running for awards at the Asian Professionals National Alliance (APNA) NHS Awards.
The awards celebrate South Asian colleagues and those who support equality, diversity and inclusion work to break through the glass ceiling and visibly make a difference to the NHS and its diverse workforce.
Dr Rais Ahmed is a finalist for the Mentoring and Coaching Champion Award which recognises significant positive action in coaching and mentoring aspiring diverse leaders, and creating a pipeline for the future.
Rais engages in teaching as an educational supervisor for non-medical prescribers. He has extensive leadership and management roles as a clinical director of the Trust, Chair of the Trust’s Medical Advisory Committee, Medical Lead on the Electronic Patient Records (EPR) Transformation and Chair of the Clinical Design Authority.
Empowering patients and carers is at the heart of Dr Ahmed’s work. He has been involved in several initiatives which aim to enhance mental health care through the support of Integrated Care Systems (ICS).
Dr Subodh Dave was shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to the Voluntary/Charity Sector Award for making a positive impact within the voluntary and charity sector.
Subodh was recognised for work he has carried out as trustee for Doctors in Distress, a charity that promotes and protects the mental health of healthcare workers across the UK, with the aim of preventing suicides in the medical profession.
One of Subodh’s most recent achievements was taking part in a series of marathons and long-distance runs across the world to raise more than £11,100 for the charity, including one marathon a month for 12 months.
APNA is a voluntary organisation of NHS health and social care leaders of South Asian descent. The network has a clear focus on reducing health and workforce inequalities, supporting and informing policy and strategic change.
Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It comes as no surprise that both Rais and Subodh have been selected as finalists for the APNA NHS awards for all their hard work and dedication to the organisation.
“Health inequality work is particularly important to us as a Trust to promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the board. Part of this involves acknowledging the exceptional work of our culturally diverse workforce.”
Rais was pleased to receive the good news, he said: “Coaching and mentoring is one of my favourite aspects of my job because I can help shape our future workforce of diverse leaders and push for inclusivity across the board.
“It is humbling to hear that, through my leadership, people have felt supported and that my contributions have helped them to thrive at work and promote positive health outcomes for our patients.”
Winners will be announced at the awards event at Warwick University on Friday 13 September.
