LJMU student awarded 'Apprentice Nurse of the Year'

LJMU student Phil Lamb has won Apprentice Nurse of the Year at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2026. 

The ceremony which took place in London saw Phil awarded Apprentice Nurse of the Year for his work with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.  

The Student Nursing Times Awards (SNTAs) bring together the nursing and midwifery community to recognise excellence in student nursing and education. 

LJMU was shortlisted for nine awards at this year's SNTAs with Phil taking home the Apprentice Nurse of the Year due to his exceptional resilience and inclusive approach to care.  

Phil's bravery, insight and commitment to nursing make him a truly deserving winner.

The judges comments on Phil winning Apprentice Nurse of the Year

On Phil winning the award, the judges said:  

“This apprentice has demonstrated exceptional resilience, courage and compassion through their nursing journey using a wide range of experiences to shape a deeply inclusive and holistic approach to care. They showed a clear commitment to looking beyond the immediate clinical presentation to understand the wider needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged patients while also advocating for dignity, safety and equitable support.  

“Despite personal and professional adversity, they have continued to lead with humility, champion others, contribute academically, and use their voice to improve both patient care and the experiences of peers and staff alike. Their bravery, insight and commitment to nursing make them a truly deserving winner.” 

LJMU shortlisted for nine awards 

Several of LJMU’s nursing students, and the university itself were nominated for nine awards across multiple categories including: 

• Apprentice Nurse of the Year: Philip Lamb: Winner 
• Apprentice Nurse of the Year: John Brady 
• Apprentice Nurse of the Year: Lauren Drennan 
• Learner of the Year: Post-registration: Rachel Malam 
• University Educator of the Year: Rachel Howard 
• Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion: Philip Lamb 
• Best Student Experience: LJMU 
• Nurse Education Provider of the Year (post-registration): Education innovation that shapes the future advanced practice workforce: LJMU 
• Nursing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year: Transformative and Innovative Nursing Apprenticeships, Delivering Excellence in Nursing Practice & Patient Care: LJMU 

You can view the shortlist and Student Nursing Times Awards 2026 winners here.  

Nursing at LJMU 

LJMU is one of the nation’s largest providers of registered nurses across adult, child and mental health care and is the regional provider for health visiting and specialist community practice. 

Our health and wellbeing programmes train nurses as well as paramedics, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, midwives and police officers making us one of the major training providers for health and wellbeing professions in the North. 

Find out more about Nursing at LJMU.