This is the list of Nursing staff who were nominated for making truly exceptional contributions to the care of children and young people throughout their careers.
Click on the names to display/hide the nomination text
Glenda Apilado
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Wow what can I say about Glenda, this women’s skills are unbelievable, there’s not a thing she can’t do.
She can be in charge of the unit and the next putting a cannula in, the next dealing with a situation with a family while still smiling and laughing.
This women’s love and care is what makes the unit such a brighter place to be, the families love her just as much as the team she works with.
She constantly makes me people fill welcome and looks after all the new staff like they are her family and supporting the other sea nurses when they are feeling very vulnerable while starting a new job in a new place far away from home.
Beverly Bromley
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Beverly has been in the nursing profession for over 20 years. She is a natural leader who motivates others and inspire’s them to follow her example. Extremely caring and dedicated to patients she consistently promotes and displays the highest ethical standards. She has made an exceptional contribution to the nursing profession and continues to inspire others to be their best.
Maria Cook
Works at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
She is so supportive, has a wealth of experience to share & has no idea how wonderful she is
Tanya Crago
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Tanya has been an oncology nurse specialist for many years. Nothing is too much trouble for her. She supports the team, her patients and their families as well as the ward. She does home visits, arranges all the treatments, and transportation to other centres. She is friendly and approachable alway has time for a chat with a big smile. Her knowledge is incredible and she is happy to share it with families and teaching and supporting nurses. She can get down to any level to ensure understanding.
Colleen Curtis
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Colleen’s career is shining as a lead for Family Integrated Care, her involvement in neonatal neuroprotective measures, and in many other areas that continues to improve our service every day. She is a very supportive senior sister and always excels at managing the team and working together with the multidisciplinary team. From the moment I joined the neonatal unit I have felt supported and appreciated by her. She is always available to teach and share knowledge with our colleagues and is great at raising concerns. Her work with the NICU families goes above and beyond. The values she hold as a colleague and as a nurse makes Colleen the perfect candidate for this award.
Helen Darby
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Excellent role model, ex Neonatal transport Lead nurse, compassionate, reliable, caring
Tracey Davey
Works at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Tracey has worked her way from staff nurse to Clinical Practice Educator/Sister. Her journey as a allowed her to be a nurse to look up to and a good role model.Tracey is a happy and approachable colleague who is always happy to help others to develope skills and gain knowled,and is passionate for all students and staff to demonste good evidence based practice. Tracey empowers her patients and families and delivers excellent care. Tracey is an amazing, kind, caring, and compassionate person, someone who staff can turn to knowing she will uplift them.
Karen Dawe
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
There is no one who has worked as hard, for as long, and still with a smile, as Karen. The mother hen of HDU, we would be lost without her. Karen puts everyone around her at ease with her incredible knowledge and ability to support her patients and their families. I have worked with Karen for many years, she is a role model to those around her and an inspiration to many nurses coming through. Karen is a huge part of HDU and the wider multidisciplinary team and will leave a massive void when she’s gone.
Janet Finnegan
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Supportive nurse to staff and patients works hard when she is on shift always love to work with you 🙂
Gemma Hayes
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
Gemma is not only an amazing ward manager for Caroline Thorpe but she is someone who truly cares about the ethos of the ward, the staff and the patients. Gemma regularly works on the ward and is always willing to help if the ward requires it. Gemma is pushing the ward to new goals and enabling staff to join her on this. Gemma has been part of the implementation of the new PEWS standardisation and the implementation of the new sepsis guideline. She is an excellent role model and mentor and the ward is extremely lucky to have her as its manager
Gemma is the epitome of Nurse goals! She is that person we all strive to be even half as good as. Throughout my time on the ward I have seen Gemma progress from band 5 to 6 and now our ward manager so She gets what it’s like to be a nurse at all different levels and works in partnership with you. Not only does she advocate for her colleagues but also patients and their families and is well respected with her firm but fair manner with the wider multidisciplinary team. She really listens to families views and implements positive changes in our practice to improve experiences. She’s recently worked immensely hard to improve aftercare for families who have experienced childhood death after finding holes in the previous pathways. She’s inputted a lot of time and energy into staff education and creating bonds and resources with the bereavement team and wider charities. This has helped the family with their grief journey knowing their loss has lead to improved outcomes for others and enabled staff to feel empowered navigating such a delicate time and alleviated some fears. Gemma is an excellent educator with her non-judgemental and supportive manner and adapts for individuals learning needs. She’s helped me incredibly through navigating a difficult practice assessor placement and gave up her Saturday evening to support a meeting with the student. She fully embodies all the qualities it takes to be an amazing nurse. Gemma leads by example and you always know when she’s done a clinical shift as you could eat off any surface on the ward! It’s sparkly clean. She’s always on the end of the phone whenever you need her and you bet she will come in to be right there beside you when it hits the fan. We owe a lot to Gemma for making our ward a lovely place to work and having such an amazing ward manager.
Gemma is a fantastic nurse. She is an amazing ward manager. She will help and support everyone is can.
Rosie Houston
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Rosie is incredible. She goes above and beyond to ensure the wellness of her colleagues, as well as babies and parents on the unit. Her compassion shines through and this always allows her to built an excellent rapport with families. She has been heavily involved in fund-raising for charities within our department and has raised thousands over the years! Her fundraising events also boost team bonding and this is invaluable when we are all working together on the unit! She always advocates for families, especially when it comes to early delivery room cuddles and colostrum! She is heavily involved in numerous QI projects to improve the quality of care we deliver to our patients. For example, the cuddle bundle! In her own time, she made many kangaroo care wraps which have been used and loved by families on the unit, and have undoubtedly increased bonding between babies and their parents during their inpatient stay. I am always so relieved to know I am on shift with Rosie, she is an absolute pleasure to work with and a true inspiration to all!
Janet Hutchins
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
Janet is a much loved and integral part of the SCBU team. She is a highly skilled, knowledgeable Neonatal Nurse who has a very calm, comforting presence on the unit. Janet works well within the MDT and has been fundamental in her work within the PeriPrem team in NDDH, leading to better outcomes for our premature babies. Janet is a wonderful role model to her colleagues and provides excellent care to the babies and their families.
Janet is a wonderful nurse and an incredible asset to our small SCBU team. She is extremely knowledgeable and is a role model to all around her. Her care for the babies and families is second to none, and she always make the parents feel at ease on the unit. She is a true gem of a person and nurse, and has touched so many lives during her amazing career.
Samantha James
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Samantha is an exceptional nurse. She goes above and beyond for her colleagues and her patients, both parents/carers and the children. I’d be over the moon if Samantha was taking care of me or my children.
Samantha is an absolute star and joy to be around. She goes to the extra mile for everyone she comes in contact with. No matter what comes her way, Samantha is able to handle things with such grace and warmth. She’s is truly an inspiration and I admire her and all the hard work she puts into her career everyday.
Jilly Luck
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Jilly is such an excellent nurse and colleague. Her passion is in education and she has been crucial in implementing the education programme on the neonatal unit and supporting changes. Jilly is always thinking outside the box and how best to suit everyone’s (nurses, doctors in training and consultants) needs, she always shows imagination when doing this.
Jilly is a very experienced nurse and when she is working clinically shows great communication and clinical skills.
Jilly is a very supportive team member and colleague and I feel she should have this recognition for all her incredibly hard work!
There aren’t enough words for Jilly. She really is the foundation of our neonatal unit. Jilly is a an exceptionally experienced and wonderful nurse. She has put in hours and hours of time for our babies and families always going above and beyond.
Jilly moves seamlessly between education and exceptional clinical care bringing the whole MDT team together. She is unbelievably supportive for the nursing team from new starters to those gaining experience, to supporting the whole nursing and medical team in an emergency with her voice of experience. Jilly pushes forward education and teaching as a priority which is such a refreshing attitude to have, and has always been a strong supporter of the PAFTA’s – often waving the banner of the value of positive feedback. And she practices what she preaches, always thanking and appreciating people.
She is such a strong role model for our nursing team and such a support to the medical team, and of course our parents, patients and families who love her. She always takes time to meet visitors returning for a catch up visit and always seems to know those little details that mean so much to people. Our course in her role she absolutely embodies the principles of exceptional nursing practice.
Thank you Jilly for all you do for our Neonatal unit – we are going to miss you so much when you retire xxx
Catherine Manlow
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Catherine has worked in the NHS, most recently on Bramble, for many years.
In her most recent role as CNM on Bramble she works tirelessly to support the team in order to make a difference to the lives of children, families and service users. She is a steadfast member of the senior team and in the last 4 years alone she has supported 6 new CNM colleagues coming into this role and countless other colleagues coming and going whilst negotiating a global pandemic!
Lots of what she does goes on behind the scenes and this is sometimes under recognised, flying the flag for paediatrics across the trust and ensuring young voices are heard, which is not without its challenges.
She strives for excellence; keeping up to date with HDU standards across the network as part of the ODN and supporting learning and development as a member of the APLS faculty.
She is hardworking, approachable, compassionate, has a can do attitude, and above all she keeps her sense of humour which in times of pressure is an achievement in itself.
Catherine cares passionately about the well-being of the team and the quality of care we provide to service users.
Catherine is a rock to others and for this reason and too many others to mention she deserves this award.
Heather Matthews
Works at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Heather has worked on SCBU for a lifetime. She is kindness personified. Families warm to her in heartbeat. She has spent years of her life dedicated to the unit and babies, and shared her experience and knowledge with so many colleagues. SCBU wouldn’t be the same without her.
Long Service to SCBU.
Heather has worked on SCBU for 40 years, her professional and caring nature is a real credit. She is a valued support, guide and mentor to all staff whether they are new to the role or have many years of experience. Having a calm manner people gravitate to Heather knowing she will give them time when they are either unsure of the direction to take or in need of a listening ear. We would all like to say a huge thank you to Heather for everything she does for us and the unit.
Pat Nicholls
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Pat is a truly wonderful nurse and deserves to be recognised for her career and the impact she has on everyone she works with. Pat is a highly respected and treasured member of the neonatal team. She continues to positively impact the welfare of all in her care and her colleagues strive to match the high standards she sets. Pat’s career demonstrates persistent excellence in her fulfilment of a variety of roles and she will leave behind a real legacy as a role model to all when she retires. Pat is a “go to” for advice, support and guidance and is trusted and valued by all who cross paths with her including patients, families and colleagues. She truly is one of a kind and luckily, we got to work with her.
Charlotte Pearson
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Excellent leader, always thinking about the team and what is best for them. Brilliant nurse who’s advocates for the children. Very supportive of her staff and supports them in any way she can.
Karen Pooley
Retired from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
I am nominating Karen Pooley for this lifetime award. KP retired and returned and retired fully from the neonatal Unit, (RCH)Truro in September 2023. In May this year, Karen received a significant medical diagnosis. A curve ball she was not expecting in her retirement!
For 40 plus years KP was a dedicated nurse and midwife. She epitomised all the criteria that is deserving of this lifetime award.
She is a determined, strong and has a significantly impacting personality. Anyone who has been lead by KP’s example has become a brilliant nurse too. I know no one more professional, diligent, humorous and caring than this amazing woman.
She now is investing all these skills in the biggest challenge of her life.
Dawn Poulton
Works at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Dawn is the band 7 for the assessment unit. She is so professional and caring. We as a team are so lucky to have her. She inspires me to be the best I can be. Dawn is always there for you if you need support or advice. She is always looking at ways to make improvements for the patients and the staff.
Dawn is a senior sister and lead on SSPAU within Torbay. She is an incredibly experienced nurse who demonstrates her wealth of experience every day. She is respected and well liked by the team and is a positive role model every shift. She consistently delivers exceptional and safe care and will advocate strongly for those children in her care.
She communicates very well with the MDT as well as the children and families who come to SSPAU. Many of them will ask for her by name and request she is there when they have their treatment.
She strives for service improvement and is currently active in a SDEC improvement project currently happening.
She is hugely supportive to all members of the team, and always supports senior management.
Dawn is the bedrock of SSPAU and deserves some recognition for her many years of service and dedication. She is extremely humble but is absolutely deserving of this award.
Janine Roberts
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
I have recently had the pleasure of working with Janine within oncology day case. Although, she has not always been in due to doing home visits I have learnt a tremendous amount from her. Her care and compassion towards her patients is outstanding. She goes above and beyond for her patients, even when these patients are not in her direct care, she will always ring the families to make sure that they are okay. You can tell that her patients and families absolutely adore her. She has always got a massive smile on her face no matter the situation. She is just fabulous and such an amazing role model. Despite Janine going on home visits knowing that she is in, you know that it is going to be a good day.
Cassie Rogers
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Cassie has demonstrated so much excellence within NICU since the start of her career here, especially the past years where she has taken her leadership role and developed improvements and changes in the care we provide. Developments with care for families through her work with bereavement support has been pivotal to the current and future practices here at Plymouth. Her impact for these families and support for her colleagues has been so significant in us all working together to provide family integrated care with compassion, consideration and kindness to all. She is very inspirational to us all, Thank You Cassie
Sally Rothwell
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
Sally is an exceptionally experience nurse, who is always willing to support others and share her knowledge. Sally is highly motivated to keep up to date with all the latest evidence and research she can, and then shares this with the wider team. Sally is an amazing advocate for her patients, HDU is her passion and she will always ensure children she looks after get the gold standard of care. Sally will always put the patients needs first and go over and above to look after children and their families. Sally is always the first to offer to go to A+E to support or go on a transfer or if a junior member of staff wants to skill up, she will support them, making her an amazing colleague. Sally will always spend as much time as possible listening to children and their families to ensure they feel valued and so she can tailor their care to their individual needs. If a child is in HDU and Sally has been looking after them, the family always speak highly of her, which is a true commendation to exceptional care she delivers on a day to day basis. Sally also does a lot of work behind the scenes that doesn’t go unnoticed, she is always organising the cupboards, helping keeping things up to date and ordering to ensure the ward runs smoothly.
It always feels safer when Sally is on. A joy to work with!
Sally is just an amazing nurse. Sally’s knowledge and experience is outstanding. Sally is a fantastic teacher and loves her job as a nurse and helping and supporting the children and the families she looks after. Sally has devoted her career to the ward and the children of North Devon and the ward is extremely lucky to have her.
Sally is such a shining star! She puts her absolute everything into giving the best possible care and support to the patients and families that she cares for. She is a fountain of knowledge and has so much experience behind her. She goes above and beyond on every single shift and is an absolute credit to the Caroline Thorpe award Team. Thank you for all you do and have done Sally.
Donna Sparkes
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Donna is a truly incredible nurse, who has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of nursing. Donna is a huge credit to Bramble Ward! Donna demonstrates amazing relationships, and communication skills with the multidisciplinary team. Donna is confident in escalating cares of her patients, and is always happy to lead their cares. Donna will always advocate for her patients and their families, and will continue to do so until their needs and requirements are met. Donna is a very supportive nurse, and I admire her work. I hope to be a nurse as fantastic as her one day, she is a true nursing role model.
Sharon Sparkes
Works at the paediatric SARC for Devon and Cornwall
Sharon has dedicated her career to nursing; on the ward, in ED, and most recently, forming the heart of the paediatric SARC for Devon and Cornwall. She is about to retire, and we don’t know what we’ll do without her.
Sharon keeps children and young people at the centre of everything she does. She has built bridges with agencies across the southwest and developed a vast amount of knowledge of the services available to support children and young people after abuse. She uses this knowledge to advocate for children, young people and their parents, and ensures they always have someone to turn to. She always goes above and beyond in directly supporting and finding ongoing support for children when other services may not be able to help. Her natural problem-solving skills help families navigate the complexity of health, social care, and police systems. She has created links with police, social services, the charity sector, and health, and this allows us all to promote safeguarding and children’s health within Devon and Cornwall.
Sharon has had significant impact on improving the welfare of staff as well as patients. She has helped train many of us within the multidisciplinary SARC team over the years, passing on her valuable knowledge and experience so that we can continue to deliver a high quality service. If there is ever uncertainty about what to do, Sharon will have the answer! She is an inclusive, compassionate leader and has supported the SARC team and individuals through some difficult times. She is the first person in the office in the morning, and often the last out.
Sharon has been a constant presence through many changes in the SARC; setting it up, changing organisations, covid, and new locations. At each step she has helped innovate and think creatively about how to give the best possible service to the children and families we see.
Claire Tanner
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – NORTHERN
An amazing advocate for children with eating disorders and mental health challenges. Calm, patient and kind when most wouldn’t be. Stands up to challenges with grace and interest. Especially inspirational when the ward was needing Ng feed 2 children 3x a day under restraint for a long period if time. Supported the children, families and staff. Implemented regular debrief as part of this.
Louise Taylor
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
I have had the pleasure of working alongside Lou within oncology day case. Lou works as a specialist nurse in oncology day case, which includes working within a multidisciplinary team to enable the best care possible for her patients. And believe me that is what she does. She does not stop. She gives 110% towards her patients ensuring they get everything that they need. She is an amazing role model who enables others including myself to deliver outstanding care. Her patients and families that she works with love her and always speak so highly of her. She has left a huge impact on her patients old and new. Even when Lou has admin work to do she can’t help but go and see all the patients that attend day case to ensure that they are doing okay. You can tell how passionate Lou is within her job, she is caring, kind and just wonderful. She not only cares for her patients but cares for her colleagues too. Thank you for all you do.
Noelle Taylor
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
I would like to nominate Noelle for the Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award due to her exceptional dedication and impact on the nursing profession. Noelle has consistently prioritized patient care and mental health support, advocating for holistic approaches that benefit her patients.
Noelle is also a passionate mentor, guiding upcoming nurses with compassion and professionalism.
A significant aspect of Noelle’s work is her dedication to mental health support.
She has been a strong advocate for integrating mental health care into nursing practice, recognising the critical role it plays in overall patient centred care.
Her compassionate approach has supported the way mental health is addressed, ensuring patients receive comprehensive and empathetic care.
Recognising Noelle with this award would honour her invaluable contribution and inspire others.
Donna Thompson
Works at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Donna is inspirational and a very hardworking nurse. She is always keen to educate and teach healthcare workers and help those who are new to the ward. Donna is very calm and organised when in charge of the ward. In her spare time Donna also does a lot of auditing for hdu, has been communicating with the eating disorder team and working with them to improve patient care. Donna is amazing and she is a very valued member of Louisa Cary ward. She has always got time to chat and is a very approachable nurse. Donna is always working to improve the ward in any way she can and she inspires me everyday.
Margaret Thompson
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
Margaret is a nurse who always shows exemplary compassion and empathy for the babies and families in her care, and also on the unit as a whole. Her practice ensures that the babies in her care are as comfortable as possible following the principles of both development and family centred care. She readily embraces new developments and works excellently within the multidisciplinary team.
Alison Tierney
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
I have recently had the pleasure of working alongside Ali within her speciality, which is oncology day case. She has been so amazing with teaching me the basics of oncology. She has been so patient and everything that you want in a teacher. Not to mention she is fab with the patients and the families that she sees. She is a true role model. Ali persistently demonstrates excellence within her care, advocating for her patients whilst giving the best care possible. She does not stop until she does, often finishing late. She is not only wonderful to her patients but also to her colleagues. Knowing that she is on you know it is going to be a good day. She is caring and so compassionate towards anyone that she sees. Ali works well within a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best is done for the patients that she sees within day case and those that may need to come to the ward. Ali keep doing what you are doing.
Rebecca Trew
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Lovely lady who works very hard and is supportive to those she works with. Thank you for everything you do Becky 🙂
Wendy Viggers
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Wendy is a tour de force of positive energy. She lights up CAU every time she is on shift. An extremely competent and experienced nurse, I wholeheartedly trust her assessment of children. She is continually teaching all around her and keeping us doctors in check. It’s an absolute joy to work alongside you Wendy. Thank you for everything you do.
What is there to say about Wendy!! I first met Wendy when I was a 2nd yr student & she was completing her 18mth paediatric conversion.
I am so privileged to have worked with Wendy for over 20 years, her years of experience make her exceptional! From Wildgoose, Sister on Woodcock, Respiratory community nurse to supposedly retiring! However Wendy probably works more now than she ever did on CAU & CHDU!
You often hear her before you see her, with her “Ere Doc” or “Titch”. This is then often followed by her farm stories because being a nurse isn’t enough, she loves her cows & is a farmer too!
Wendy has a heart of pure gold, she has the most caring nature and is a strong advocate to all her patients & their parents. They love her, her skills and knowledge are remarkable and I still learn so much from her. She has helped me grown from a student nurse to the nurse I am now. Wendy is such a team player and supports all medical & nursing staff, you know when your on shift with her that your in safe hands!
Wendy is such a role model that I have looked up to all these years, she is well respected across level 12 and everyone loves her! I only hope that I can be half the nurse that she is. Wendy also is one of the most supportive colleagues I know, she is a work mum to many and will always listen & advise even if the advice might not be what you want to hear you know she is right!
Wendy, what can I say about Wendy?! Once heard, never forgotten? Hehe!
She is, and always been, an absolute powerhouse of a nurse. You always know that when Wendy is on shift, you are in for a cracker of a day, whatever it may bring. She is an amazing team player, she is always there to help, guide and support her colleagues, she will definitely tell you if you are wrong though hehe!
She works well with every member of the multidisciplinary team.
And she is always a powerful advocate for her patients, she has a wonderful rapport with them, and is well liked by all.
Wendy, you have a career that many aspire to, and should be incredibly proud of all that you have achieved.
Jen Williams
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
I have recently had the pleasure of working with Janine within oncology day case. Jen is an asset to the oncology team, always going above and beyond for her patients and not stopping until she gives 110%. Even when on leave she is constantly checking on her patients. When a patient comes in to oncology day case she is always the first to go and see how they are. She constantly advocates for her patient within her workload as well as other patients who she is not a key worker too. She is just fab and does not realise how amazing she really is. Not only does she demonstrate excellent care towards her patients but to her peers as well. She shows huge amount of compassion and kindness to everyone she comes in to contact with.
Claire Wilson
Works at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – EASTERN
She is a great colleague, easy to work with, kind and empathetic to patients and families. She is reflective, insightful and thorough. Great nurse.
Back to all categories
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We use the nomination text and categories as provided by those who submit the nomination.
If there are any issues with the nomination pages (errors, people placed in the wrong category or any other concerns) please email s.janoff@nhs.net
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We will use the following criteria for creating the shortlist and choosing the final winner:
Nursing Lifetime Achievement
1. Has demonstrated persistent excellence in fulfilment of their work throughout their career.
2. Models exemplary multidisciplinary teamworking
3. Has had significant impact on improving the welfare of patients, staff or both through their work, enabling others to deliver better care.
4. Demonstrates excellence in advocating for patients and their families
5. Embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice & values of RCPCH
PAFTAs 