An Advanced Clinical Nurse Practitioner who was described by a patient as someone who “gave me back my life” has been recognised at the UHL Recognition Awards 2026.
Julie Skeemer received the Patient Choice Award at a special ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on Friday 2 October, celebrating colleagues and teams who go above and beyond to make a difference for patients, colleagues and communities.
Julie supports people living with Long Covid, a condition she says can often be misunderstood. At the heart of her approach is making sure patients feel listened to, supported and reassured throughout their recovery.
Elizabeth Cardwell was the patient who nominated Julie and she described the significant impact that Julie had on her recovery, praising her ability to combine excellent clinical care with compassion, empathy and clear communication.
Elizabeth said: “I would not be who I am post-Covid if it was not for Julie. She is someone who gave me back my life, my future and is the reason I am moving forwards every single day.”
She also described how Julie took the time to explain information, answer questions and provide reassurance during an uncertain time, adding that she made her feel like her concerns mattered.
Her impact extended beyond the clinic room. Elizabeth said: “Julie has a presence that radiates further than the clinic room, the vibe in reception, the smiling of patients as they leave, it’s all down to Julie and the sparkle she spreads. She is an asset to UHL.”
Receiving the award, Julie was quick to recognise the wider team around her.
She said: “This is just amazing, really. I work to make a difference for our patients and this award means I’ve done my job. But this is for the whole team as much as it is for me.
“Long Covid remains widely misunderstood, but for our patients the impact is very real. It’s vital that they feel listened to, believed and supported, and know that we’re here for them throughout their journey.”
Julie was among 43 colleagues from across UHL celebrated at this year’s Recognition Awards, following a record-breaking 900 nominations.
Internal judges assessed and scored anonymised entries to create a shortlist, before a panel of internal and external judges selected the winners in each category.
Reflecting on the evening, Julie added: “Everyone has been having so much fun tonight, and it’s great seeing everyone coming together, which is such a UHL thing.”