The Independent’s health editor Rebecca Thomas has been named health journalist of the year at the Press Awards 2026.
Ms Thomas’s work included an investigation into a rapist NHS mental health nurse who was allowed to work with vulnerable hospital patients for a year despite police warning he was a suspect, as well as her reporting on three disabled children who died in similar circumstances at The Children’s Trust.
She was also recognised for her work on Nicholas Thornton, an autistic man who regained his ability to speak after her dogged reporting on his experience of living in unsuitable care homes and hospitals saw him finally rehoused in the community after a 10-year fight.
Judges commended Ms Thomas for her ability to expose wrongdoing and create real-life change with her journalism.
“Rebecca’s work demonstrates what every journalist hopes to achieve: exposing wrongdoing, standing up for the most vulnerable in society to affect real-life impact and lasting change. It’s investigative reporting at its best,” they said.
Reacting to her win, Ms Thomas said: “It’s a huge honour to win. Thank you so much to those who trusted the Indy to tell their stories and the editors that helped bring the stories to life.”
The multi-award-winning reporter was also named health journalist of the year at the Press Awards 2025.
Ms Thomas was praised for relentlessly pursuing whistleblower concerns about the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and consistently spotlighting safeguarding failures by healthcare services.
Her investigation into John Chukwunonso Iwuh, the rapist nurse who worked for more than a year while under investigation, caused the NMC to reveal shocking gaps in its regulation and prompted two NHS hospitals to launch independent reviews.
After her reporting uncovered a litany of failings at one of Britain’s biggest care homes for disabled children, The Children’s Trust, police launched a fresh probe into one of the deaths.
The Independent was also recognised in other categories on Thursday night, with chief international correspondent Bel Trew shortlisted as foreign reporter of the year and global travel editor Annabel Grossman nominated as travel journalist of the year.
This publication’s Brick by Brick campaign, which raised funds to build two houses for women fleeing domestic abuse, was also shortlisted for campaign of the year.
