30 July 2026
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards by the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA). The HPMA awards are held annually to celebrate the achievements of people management teams across the NHS and wider healthcare sector.
Sussex Partnership's Workforce Supply team that sits in the People and Culture division, has been shortlisted in the People Team of the Year category. It follows significant progress made by the Trust in becoming an employer of choice by leading broader organisational change to deliver improved staff experiences, make the most effective use of public money and improve outcomes for patients.
This change programme has been overseen by Sussex Partnership Chief People Officer, Funmi Onamusi. She's been shortlisted in the People Leader of the Year category in recognition of her role in driving these improvements.
In the last three years, the progress achieved included a reduction in the Trust's overall vacancy rate from 18.2% to 8.7% – below the Trust's 10% target – improving the everyday experience of clinical teams. The team has overseen a fall in registered nursing vacancies from 30.4% to 8.9% and a reduction in medical vacancies from 27% to 17%.
Agency usage across urgent care and community services fell by 81% between April and August 2025, while the number of agency healthcare support workers dropped from 60 to 14 whole-time equivalent staff within three months.
The team also secured 45 nursing placements during 2025/26 through a guaranteed employment pathway with the University of Brighton, with a further 45 due to join during 2026.
In addition, the People and Culture team has also simplified appraisal processes in response to staff feedback and launched 'Operation Spring Clean', a programme designed to improve working environments across Sussex Partnership.
Sussex Partnership Chief Executive Officer Dr Jane Padmore said:
"I'm proud of the achievements of our Workforce Supply team under Funmi's leadership. Reducing our dependency on agency staff and increasing substantial staffing levels improves the quality of care we provide to patients, carers and families.
"Being shortlisted for these awards is well-deserved recognition of Funmi's contribution and the whole team's commitment to improving the quality of care, improving population outcomes and ensuring we are a cost effective and sustainable public service.”
Adele D'Silva, Deputy Director of Workforce Operations at Sussex Partnership said:
"As a team we are thrilled to be recognised by the HPMA. Leading a significant change programme while also reducing vacancy rates and delivering better patient outcomes has been a huge challenge. The whole team has risen to this challenge, reflecting the commitment each of us has to improving services for our patients and communities across Sussex."
Judging in the HPMA awards is now underway, ahead of the awards ceremony to be held later in the Autumn in Bristol.
