[30th July 2026]
A pioneering project developed by the Pelvic Late Effects team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has received regional recognition and been shortlisted for a national award.
Award winning innovation
The team’s project, Between the Navel and the Knees: Intimacy and sexual function after pelvic chemoradiotherapy, has won the Most Impactful Innovation (Pan System) Award from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance. The award celebrates teams whose innovative work is making a significant difference to cancer prevention, diagnosis or care across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. The project has also been shortlisted in the Public Health Nursing category at this year’s Nursing Times Awards.
Inspired by patients
The project was developed in response to conversations with patients about an often overlooked aspect of life after cancer treatment.
“This project was inspired by listening to patients and recognising that intimacy and sexual wellbeing after pelvic chemoradiotherapy deserves greater attention, compassion and practical support. Bringing together patients’ voices, poetry and the expertise of healthcare professionals, the team has worked collaboratively to create a patient centred resource to support people living beyond cancer treatment.”
Robyn Bowman, Clinical Nurse Specialist and PRD Late Effects Lead at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
The recognition highlights the importance of improving support for people living with Pelvic Radiation Disease (PRD) and celebrates the collaborative approach that has shaped the resource from the outset.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this important project on both the regional award and the national recognition.
Looking ahead
We are delighted that Robyn and participants involved in the project will be joining us, at our PRD Professional Networking Event in September, to share more about the project and the collaborative journey behind its development.
“We’re now in the final stages of production and are aiming to complete the project in September 2026. I hope this resource will make a meaningful difference to patients, their loved ones and the healthcare professionals who support them.”
Robyn Bowman
We look forward to hearing more about this important work and the difference it will make for people with PRD and wish the team every success at this year’s Nursing Times Awards.