The Dorothy Hopwood Award for Professional Achievement recognises a member of the dietetic support workforce who has made a valuable and significant contribution to the profession.
This award is open to members of the dietetic support workforce who are BDA members and demonstrate innovation and new ways of working within nutrition and dietetic services. The project/work may be undertaken on a multi-disciplinary basis though the contribution of the dietetic support worker must be clearly illustrated within the application.
Award sponsored by Yakult
Applications for 2026 are open until Monday 13 April at Noon. The 2026 awards will be presented on Wednesday 3 June in Birmingham.
Entry Criteria
To apply for the Dorothy Hopwood Award, nominees must:
- Be a member of the BDA
- Working in the dietetic support workforce
Download the application form
Past winners
2023 Winner - Claire Loversidge, Dietetic Assistant Practitioner, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Claire was nominated by Helen Beagan, Specialist Dietitian, on behalf of her dietetic colleagues and patients to thank her for her 14 years of team work and dedication to dietetic services in Sheffield and an amazing 30 years commitment to NHS services. Claire always goes the extra mile to deliver a timely and a high level of service to patients and their families with complex conditions on home enteral nutrition. She has significantly contributed to the development and expansion of the Dietetic HEF service in Sheffield.
I want to thank Claire for the compassion and care she shows on a daily basis and for being a joy to work with. She is a most deserving winner and I wish Claire the best of luck!
Helen Beagan, Specialist Dietitian (HEF)
2025 - Awarded jointly to Shelley Hannon and Padma (Paru) Mistry
2023 - Claire Loversidge
2021 - Julie Mason
Apply or nominate your rock star support worker
Award sponsored by
