The Independent's correspondent Rebecca Thomas has been named health journalist of the year at the Press Awards 2026 for the second consecutive year. Ms Thomas was praised by judges for exposing wrongdoing and standing up for society's most vulnerable individuals.
Investigative Achievements
Her award-winning 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 warnings. This story prompted the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to reveal shocking gaps in its regulation and led two NHS hospitals to launch independent reviews.
Ms Thomas also reported on three disabled children who died in similar circumstances at The Children's Trust, one of Britain's largest care homes for disabled children. Following her exposé of a litany of failings, police launched a fresh probe into one of the deaths.
Additionally, her dogged reporting on autism patient Nicholas Thornton, who regained his ability to speak after living in unsuitable care homes and hospitals for a decade, saw him finally rehoused in the community.
Judges' Comments
Judges commended Ms Thomas for her ability to expose wrongdoing and create real-life change. "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.
Reporter's Reaction
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."
Other Nominations
The Independent was also recognised in other categories. Chief international correspondent Bel Trew was shortlisted as foreign reporter of the year, and global travel editor Annabel Grossman was nominated as travel journalist of the year. The publication's Brick by Brick campaign, which raised funds to build two houses for women fleeing domestic abuse, was shortlisted for campaign of the year.
