Radiology Day Unit Manager, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Gwen Dela Cruz manages the Radiology Day Unit at University Hospital Southampton, leading her team with a clear strategic vision, an unwavering focus on patient safety, and a genuine investment in the people around her. Under her leadership, the unit has become a centre of excellence — not through grand gestures, but through consistent, thoughtful improvement and a culture where every team member is encouraged to grow.

One of Gwen’s most meaningful achievements has been supporting four healthcare assistants to successfully transition into registered nurses and associate practitioners. Through hands-on training programmes, peer mentorship, and ongoing education, she has not only strengthened the unit’s workforce capacity but changed the career trajectories of colleagues who might otherwise have remained in support roles.

Patient safety runs through everything Gwen does. She introduced bedside procedures for critically ill patients who could not safely be moved, and implemented real-time tip confirmation to reduce errors and improve outcomes. When the unit faced challenges — equipment problems, workflow changes, new clinical skills — she stayed calm, adapted protocols quickly, and kept team morale high throughout.

Gwen’s collaborative approach brings together radiologists, nursing staff, infection control teams, and hospital administration, ensuring everyone is aligned and working toward the same goal. Colleagues describe her as open, resilient, and genuinely inspiring.

Gwen is one of 78 NHS South East colleagues featured in a campaign marking the NHS’s 78th birthday and the first anniversary of England’s 10 Year Health Plan.