Sophie Goodchild, of the Independent on Sunday, has scooped first prize at the industry’s leading awards for medical journalism.
Sophie Goodchild, of the Independent on Sunday, has scooped first prize at the industry’s leading awards for medical journalism.
She won a commendation in the General Medical Consumer Features category at the prestigious Norwich Union Healthcare Medical Journalism Awards 2002, which recognise and reward the talent, enterprise and responsibility of those in the fields of medical and related financial journalism.
The winners, which came from a wide range of media, were named at the awards ceremony in London last night (Tuesday 26 November 2002).
Celia Hall, chairperson of judges and medical editor at the Daily Telegraph, said of Sophie’s entry: “An emotional and powerful piece about author, playwright and Broadmoor patient, Janet Cresswell. Sophie’s feature would have been a very difficult story to write – and it’s a subject that is long overdue and much neglected by the media. This piece draws you in and makes you want to read on.”
The awards are now in their eleventh year of sponsorship by Norwich Union Healthcare, and are administered in conjunction with the Medical Journalists’ Association.
David Rogers, managing director of Norwich Union Healthcare, said: “The worlds of medicine, health and health finance are becoming ever more complex, particularly during the eleven years since we first become involved with these awards. With those changes come increasingly tough challenges to the medical media, be it in print, on air or online.
“These awards celebrate the very best of journalism in this field, and the critical role that journalists play – from educating consumers and informing specialist audiences, to delving into previously uncharted areas and unearthing the real story behind the headlines.”
The full list of winners:
General Medical
News
- Consumer
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to: Steve Connor, Science Editor, The Independent Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to: Julie Cush, Health Reporter, The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle - Professional
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Brian Kelly, Senior Clinical Newsreporter, Pulse
Features
- Consumer
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Sophie Goodchild, Home Affairs Correspondent, Independent on Sunday
Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to Nick Morgan, Reader’s Digest Special Commendation - Awarded to Jo Knowsley, Social Affairs Editor, The Mail on Sunday - Professional
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Sarah Grant, Senior Reporter, Hospital Doctor
Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to Tim Burrowes, Editor, Hospital Doctor - Young Entrant
- Ł500 prize - Awarded to Clare Hughes, freelance journalist, British Medical Journal – Career Focus Special commendation - Awarded to Amanda Eleftheriades, Senior Reporter, Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter
Financing Healthcare
- Consumer
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Patrick Collinson, Personal Finance Editor, The Guardian, Jobs and Money section
Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to Neasa MacErlean, Reporter, The Observer Special Commendation - Awarded to Joy Ogden, News Editor, Health Plus (Yours) - Professional
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Edmund Tirbutt, Freelance, Health Insurance
Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to Suzanne Clarkson, Deputy Editor, Money Management - Younger Entrant
Ł500 prize - Awarded to Kirstie Redford, Editor, Cover Magazine
Broadcasting
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Jolyon Jenkins, ‘Medical Mistakes’, BBC Radio 4 - File on 4
Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to Andrew Thompson, ‘Life Blood’, Horizon> Special Commendation - Awarded to Peter Henley, ‘Asbestosis’, BBC TV South Today
Online
Ł1,000 first prize - Awarded to Helen Pearson, Reporter, Nature Science Update
Ł150 runner-up prize - Awarded to Dr Patricia McNair, Freelance, BBCi
-ends-
Media contacts:
Matthew Buchanan or Jo Misson, QBO, Tel: 020 7379 0304.
- Norwich Union Healthcare is the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and provides a range of private medical insurance and income protection products to around 750,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer offering a comprehensive range of long-term savings and general insurance products.
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on the Aviva plc website at www.aviva.com
- A selection of images is available from the Norwich Union Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk