Patient's Choice Award
The response to the new Patient's Choice Award was overwhelming with over 100 nominations received. Nominations came in from all over the country, from people from every walk of life. Some came from patients themselves while others came from family members. Over and over again, the testimonies praised nurses for their dedication and outstanding care.
Selecting just 4 finalists from the scores of testimonies proved extremely difficult for the judging panel, chaired by writer, broadcaster, former health minister and Trustee of the Patients Association, Edwina Currie. The public vote to decide the winner was also very close, with only a handful of votes between the finalists and two nurses tying in first place.
The winners were announced at the prestigious annual Nursing Standard Nurse Awards ceremony which was held at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on Thursday March 27 2008.
Winners:
Rachel Andrews, a Paediatric Sister at the Eye Treatment Centre, West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. Read about Rachel's work
Gill Donovan, a Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. Read about Gill's work
Runners up:
Amitah Shah, a Carers' Nurse nominated by a user of Barnet Carers' Centre in north London. Read about Amitah's work
Jeanette Hornsey, a Sister in the Cardiology Department at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. Read about Jeanette's work
