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
Caroline Aplin
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Caroline has worked on SCBU for almost 40 years.
She is a fabulous role model, dedicated to the care of babies and supporting parents and the wider family.
As well as working clinically Caroline has several lead roles within the unit, working tirelessly to ensure the smooth running and safety of SCBU.
As a colleague it is always a pleasure to work alongside Caroline, her knowledge and skills are excellent and she is someone staff turn to whether they have a question regarding care or on a personal level.
Should she ever decide to fully retire she will be greatly missed.
Hayley Barnes
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals
Hayley is one of our senior nurses who splits her time between ITU and paediatrics and I can quite confidently say that if I was ever unfortunate enough to need critical care I wouldn’t want anyone else to be my nurse!
Hayley is a Polkerris legend. Firstly, she is fantastically knowledgeable in all aspects of nursing (except for IT – but we love you for it, H). She always prioritises the right care for her patients and calmly advocates for it. Her breadth of experience makes her the fount of nursing information, especially when it comes to high dependency care. I recall many shifts as a NQN feeling out of my depth but always so supported by Hayley and owe so much of my knowledge to her.
Hayley is nothing but fair. Whether it’s with patients, families or staff, you know any trouble will be addressed rationally and sensibly, often with humour. Her open, impartial manner has avoided many confrontations and she is the queen of conflict resolution. On shift (once she has found time to say hello to every patient on the ward) she is often found tackling difficult situations head-on. Her dogged determination to address stop-smoking advice with families is something to behold!
Hayley also has her colleagues’ wellbeing at heart and often asks after everyone on a shift. We know she has our backs and always feel safe and supported with her in charge. As a key link between the paediatric and ITU departments, she also provides a great deal of multidisciplinary teaching to support practice development amongst both the nursing and medical teams, particularly with APLS and NIV.
I think the madness of paeds frequently leaves Hayley pining for ITU but we would be lost without her leadership. I hope H knows how respected and valued a colleague she is. RCHT is very lucky to have her!
Ruth Burnett
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Ruth has worked on Bramble ward for many years now and is one of the most selfless, hard working people I know.
Her attitude to work is very solid, she will go out of her way to ensure that she provides nothing but the best care she feels she can for her patients. She had a very strong mind and will use this to ensure that care is ideal, escalating care where appropriate. She is the therefore the perfect advocate for any child/family in her care.
Ruth is very much a team player- her years of knowledge enable her to teach, encourage and support the wider team around her. Knowing that Ruth is on a shift provides a more confident, well supported team.
Ruth is a very loved member of our team who does such a fabulous job and is, I feel, very worthy of such an award.
Hyacinth Capileno
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
She is very trustworthy and cares for patients and families in a very caring and thoughtful way. We are lucky to have Hyacinth in our team( Bramble Ward).
Sandra Cobb
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals
Proper mixture of practical and by book. Always follow right practices and always take complex care patients and always relief parents of sick kids. More than a nurse . Old school nurse with modern approach . Always relief the co workers. Give patients priority . Always safe and never judge or challenge patient needs. Always follows medical plan and very humble and professional
Sandra’s commitment and passion to nursing shines in all she does. As a band 6 she is supportive and a fantastic role model to the junior nursing team and is always approachable and offering help to others when needed. Her empathy and care towards patients and families is outstanding and she always goes above and beyond her nursing role so ensure patients and families time whilst on the ward is the best it possibly can be. Sandra kind and compassionate nature is encompassed alonside her years of expertise and make her a truly wonderful nurse. A fabulous lifetime achievement.
Ellie Davison
Works at Torbay & South Devon
I have nominated Ellie for this ward as Ellie continues to demonstrate excellence in advocating for her patients, Ellie has an amazing way of escalating concerns and communicating within a multi disciplinary team to ensure the patients needs are met. Ellie always puts her patients and families and ease by ensuring they understand everything happening and this has been noted by many families.
Ellie continues to develop and after recently doing her higher dependency course and gaining incredible depths of knowledge I’m sure Ellie will continue to make an amazing impact within nursing.
Lastly Ellie is an incredible supportive colleague who always has a listening ear and is super positive to be around
Karen Dawe
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Karen has committed so many years of her life to nursing! She is a pleasure to work alongside and always brings a calming nature to any shift no matter how busy!
What can you say about Karen! There aren’t enough words to describe how amazing and kind this lady is! Karen has worked in the Children’s High Dependency Unit for many years and has seen many students, nurses and doctors come and go and I know they will all remember her fondly. Karen always looks out for those that might look “lost on their 1st day” or struggling to understand what might be needed for a patient. She will always calmly explain and share her wealth of knowledge with you to help you be the best version of yourself you can be. Karen is adored by her peers and often referred to as the “mother of HDU”, but always meant with the greatest respect. Many aspire to be more like Karen! when days get tough and the challenges seem overwhelming, Karen will be calm and caring not just to her patients and families but to all the team too. The children on HDU always receive the most compassionate and expert care when Karen is on duty. It’s been such a pleasure to work with Karen over the years, she’s a true inspiration.
Janet Finnegan
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Janet has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her career. Her clinical knowledge and professionalism make her an incredibly valued member of the team.
She leads on supporting and guiding our students, a responsibility she takes on with care, patience, and consistency. Despite navigating a particularly challenging journey in recent years, Janet has continued to uphold an exceptional level of professionalism, showing resilience, strength, and unwavering dedication to her role.
She truly embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice and the values of the RCPCH — leading with integrity, supporting her colleagues, and consistently putting patients at the centre of her practice.
Janet is also a strong advocate for children and their families, ensuring their voices are heard and their care is tailored to their individual needs. She balances empathy with confidence. Janet has a kind heart and a loving ability to mix that all into one in her nursing care and friendship within the team, grateful for her.
It is a privilege to work alongside Janet in her nursing team. Her support, wisdom, and steady presence have made a lasting impact on all staff and patients.
Janet is a strong advocate for her patients, always ensuring that their needs are heard. She balances her advocacy with excellent judgment and leadership, guiding colleagues with clarity and fairness. Her ability to support both staff and families makes her a trusted figure in the department.
She inspires others through her commitment to patient care, and her willingness to share her experience, knowledge and manages a shift in the department to the book. Janet leads by example, showing that professionalism and compassion can go hand in hand and she is someone that both new and experienced staff naturally look up to.
Her dedication, fairness, and advocacy make her an outstanding nurse and a role model for all. Janet is truly deserving of recognition for the positive difference she continues to make every day.
Janet has made an impact on my career so far and has enabled me to grow giving welcome feedback on many occassions enabling my professional growth. She has always shown me kindness and has provided love during a shift. I truely enjoy working with Janet
Helen Greenhill
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals
Helen has been the epitome of excellence in neonatal nursing, shaping and elevating care for babies and families across Cornwall. From her beginnings as a neonatal staff nurse to becoming the first Clinical Neonatal Matron at RCHT, her journey has been marked by innovation, compassion, and leadership.
She played a pivotal role in designing and developing the Transitional Care Ward, ensuring families receive the right support in the right setting. Helen was admired for her ability to create new roles and find creative ways to fund them—such as the education role—and for developing nursery nurses from healthcare assistants, crafting clear development pathways and writing job descriptions from scratch.
Helen also championed the neonatal outreach service, supporting safe discharge and continuity of care in the community. She founded and grew the Infant Feeding Team, further enhancing family support.
Throughout her career, Helen has embodied the values we aspire to. She has been inspired by and open to new possibilities, always seeking to understand the ideas of others. With courage, she embraced change and shared her ideas freely to improve the way we work.
As Helen retires, we celebrate her extraordinary contributions and the lasting legacy she leaves behind. Her vision, dedication, and impact will continue to shape neonatal care in Cornwall for years to come.
Helen’s legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and tireless advocacy for babies, families, and staff. As she embarks on a well-earned retirement, we celebrate her extraordinary contributions and the lasting impact she has made on neonatal care in Cornwall.
Sarah Hainsworth
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Since working with Sarah when I qualified, I can honestly say there is no nurse quite like her. She is an incredible nurse, with years of skills and expertise and have witnessed her care for a variety of patients. No matter how difficult or complex the situation, Sarah will approach each patient with the same empathy, respect and kindness. Sarah is a constant support to her patients and their families even in the hardest moments. Her focus is always doing what’s right for the patient and going above and beyond, but never asking for recognition or praise. As a team, we all see how much she gives and want her to know how appreciated she is.
Vicky Harris
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Vicky has had a long and dedicated career in nursing, consistently providing excellent care to patients and support to colleagues. She advocates for patients and families and shares her experiences to help others. She is known for her kindness, patience and care. She always takes the time to listen and support those who need it most. Vicky’s compassion, warmth and dedication have touched many lives, making her a truly deserving recipient of the Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award.
Helen Harvey
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals
Helen has been an amazing nurse throughout her years at treliske and is sadly for us due to retire this year! She has supported her team and taken students under her wing including my self when I was a student and new to the team. No matter what was happen she supported the team as a whole across the floor within the paediatric unit. Thank you so much Helen for everything and enjoy your retirement.
Gemma Hates
Works at North Devon District Hospital
Gemma is everything you’d want a ward manager to be. It is clear her whole team relies on her and is grateful whenever she’s there. But when she’s being asked a new question every 30 seconds she never complains or changes her friendly attitude. She makes it clear that you can go to her for help whenever you need to. And thank goodness for that because she is a fountain of knowledge. She advocates for her patients and staff and isn’t afraid to say when something isn’t right. She’s an incredible nurse and an incredible leader.
Beccy Holttum
Works at Other (please specify in nomination)
Beccy is a mental health nurse and family therapist with CFT’s Children and Young People Eating Disorders Service and one of our clinical leads. She has a passion for helping and supporting young people and their families as well as advocating for her colleagues.
Everyone in the team knows Beccy can be counted on to help talk through a difficult situation, support you in thinking about a case, and most importantly for a smile and a lifted mood when things are tricky. No job is too small, even covering physical health clinics when called on, and with a smile too! The CYPEDS team are truly lucky to be able to benefit from her experience.
Rhea Lawrence
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
A good leader has strong integrity, communication, and self-awareness. Rhea has all of these. She is a calm and consistent presence on bramble.
She sets the example.
She encourages others to be better by the example she sets.
She has high standards of care. She is friendly, approachable, firm but fair. She has fantastic communication skills and can make anyone feel heard and seen. Rhea is able to empower the team through her leadership. She is always diplomatic and has a natural way of helping people to use critical thinking. She is non judgmental and is a great advocate to staff well being, understanding her staff have to stay healthy in order to provide care for the children and young people we look after.
Rhea is adaptable, and shows resilience in the face of challenges. She is always happy to help out on the ward and is still up to date with clinical practice. She motivates others to learn and take on new challenges and creates a positive well supported work environment.
Rhea is always happy to share her knowledge and expertise with others and is always a professional and reassuring presence to not only the nursing staff but wider mdt as a whole.
Rhea will always advocate for the best care for both her patients and her team as a whole.
Honestly feel grateful to work with Rhea. Thank you for all you do for the team and the children cared for on bramble.
Rhea is a very supportive and fair in her decision. She always checks in and ensure all staff are happy with the work load. Rhea is a great manager.
Holly Luscombe
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Holly is a truly exceptional nurse, and her wealth of knowledge and expertise is second to none. She is the go to person for anything and everything, especially in HDU, where her clinical skills and outstanding care are consistently valued and appreciated.
When Holly is on shift, we all feel reassured knowing were in the safest of hands. Her extensive knowledge, sharp clinical judgement, and unwavering dedication to patient care make a real difference. She remains calm and composed in emergencies, taking control of situations with confidence, clarity and skill.
Holly’s compassion and kindness are felt by everyone around her. She goes above and beyond not only for her patients but also for their families, treating each individual holistically and ensuring their needs are met tenfold. Her wholehearted care and empathy shine through in everything she does.
It is truly a privilege to work alongside Holly. She creates a sense of calm and safety on the ward and is an inspiring role model and mentor to all. Her Prescence uplifts the team, and her dedication sets the highest standard for what exceptional nursing looks like.
Paula Montgomery
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Paula is an outstanding nurse, she dedicates herself to her patients and takes the time to really get to know them. Her patients trust her, the parents respect her and she is very much a valued member of the cystic fibrosis team.
Paula keeps a calm and focused head, she’s great in a crisis and shares her years of experience with the team in an open and supportive way.
We’d be lost without you!
Jane Pamplin
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Jane is an absolutely amazing nurse. She advocates for her patients and colleagues. Not only is she an amazing nurse she is an amazing teacher, especially to students. She has got a wealth of knowledge and such a positive way of teaching and anyone would be proud to be at least half the nurse Jane is.
Tracy Parsons
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Tracy is an amazing colleague who doesn’t give herself any credit for her knowledge and skills.
She has worked on SCBU for many years supporting our most vulnerable of babies, stepping in to be in charge at short notice and supporting parents with Basic Life Support training.
Until recently Tracy was part of the vaccination team, undertaking extra hours to make sure babies were immunised and parents had all the necessary information.
Tracy is great at making sure paperwork is readily available for the team and is one of those people who never stands still, always finding jobs that need doing or supporting her peers.
Sally Rothwell
Works at North Devon District Hospital
Whenever I come on shift and see Sally I feel that bit better. She’s always an amazing advocate for children and families. Clinically brilliant and invents things noone else does (patented Rothwell urine collection device). Has a great energy and enthusiasm.
Sally has dedicated her career to delivering exceptional care, demonstrating unwavering excellence and professionalism in every aspect of her work. Throughout her years in nursing, she has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure the highest standards of care for children, young people, and their families. Her compassion, clinical expertise, and calm leadership have made her an inspiring role model to generations of nurses and healthcare professionals.
Sally exemplifies the very best of multidisciplinary teamwork. She collaborates seamlessly with colleagues across all professions, valuing everyone’s contribution and ensuring that patient care remains at the heart of every decision. Her ability to unite teams, foster mutual respect, and maintain open communication has had a lasting impact on ward culture and team morale.
Over the course of her career, Sally has significantly improved the welfare of both patients and staff. She has championed patient safety, advocated tirelessly for families, and supported colleagues through challenging times, helping to create an environment where compassionate, evidence-based care can flourish.
Sally’s warmth and nurturing nature have made her beloved by patients and families alike — so much so that everyone jokes they want to take “Aunty Sally” home on discharge. Her genuine care, humour, and motherly presence bring comfort to those around her in even the most difficult moments.
She truly embodies the meaning of this award leaving a legacy of kindness, integrity, and excellence in nursing. We will be lost when she finally retires!
Penny Smith
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Penny is an invaluable member of the epilepsy team – I would go as far to say that she is the member who holds the whole service together! She uses her prescribing skills and knowledge of epilepsy medications to start and adjust medications, supporting families with endless ad hoc queries and as the only epilepsy nurse specialist in Exeter supports 4 consultants with her amazing knowledge of all of the patients and their families. She provides VNS service meaning that patients don’t have to travel to Bristol and has a great working relationship with neurophysiology colleagues to ensure prompt and appropriate investigations and results. She is a fantastic educator, ensuring that families and nursing staff have the appropriate skills to support children and young people with epilepsy. She always puts her patients first – ensuring that they receive excellent epilepsy care. Her work phoning new patients as soon as they have been referred to the epilepsy service means that not only NICE guidance is met but that any relevant investigations have been requested and safety advice and patient education has been given to all families prior to being reviewed in clinic.
You are fab Penny and definately deserve to receive this nursing lifetime achievement award!
Deborah Squires
Works at North Devon District Hospital
Fantastic outpatient lead and allergy nurse. Gives fab advice and will always have something to say to make the day a bit more fun.
Debbie is an inspiring senior paediatric nurse whose dedication and compassion have touched countless children and families. Throughout her career, she has shown unwavering excellence, leading with warmth, integrity, and teamwork. She has transformed both the TBC and allergy clinics locally, improving care and experience for patients. Debbie is very hardworking, skilled, and endlessly committed to making a difference every day.
Sue Syers
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Sue has an extensive history working within the trust in paediatric services.
Whilst her background is in acute paediatrics, she has worked at the child development centre in Plymouth for many years.
She has recently taken over the neurodevelopmental pathway and has worked hard with the rest if the paediatric neurodevelopmental team to improve the assessment and diagnosis process.
Sue is constantly striving to improve services for children, young people and families and has looked closely at ways in which the pathway can be improved. Notably, Sue is trying to ensure that children and young people receive assessments appropriate to their needs and has encouraged the team design and implement pathways to enable flexibility within the assessment process.
Sue encourages the team to develop their roles and is a strong advocate for further education. As a nurse consultant she is passionate about advanced practice roles. She has been fundamental in helping members of the staff including myself, to undertake the advanced clinical practitioner training. She is always looking for opportunities to help develop staff which means there is a strong sense of work satisfaction within the team.
She is extremely knowledgeable and reassuring which is something she brings to her patients who always feel listened to and reassured.
She continues to develop the autism assessment pathway to improve waiting times for children and young people and has done such an excellent job is in a position to be able to offer assistance to the Devon autism assessment pathway.
Whilst this is Sue’s most current project it is by no means her only contribution to the community paediatric service. She has also worked closely with the children’s community nurses and the bowel and bladder team to improve services and pathways within the CDC.
Claire Tanner
Works at North Devon District Hospital
Such an advocate for children and young people in distress and mental health challenges. Liases with Camhs and social care constantly. We are lucky to work with you.
Noelle Taylor
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
It is always such a pleasure to work with Noelle. She has such a positive impact on patients, families and colleagues, she empowers others to improve the care they deliver through her leadership and unwavering commitment to the improvement of the trust and the care delivered to its patients. She is a passionate and principled advocate for children and families, Noelle ensures every voice is heard and every need is prioritised. She embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice and the values of the RCPCH through integrity, compassion, professionalism and a lifelong dedication to advancing paediatric nursing. Noelle is an inspiring role model whose contribution to paediatric care is truly exceptional and profoundly deserving of this recognition.
Michelle Townsend
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Being a ward manager is never an easy role, but Michelle has had a particularly challenging time, with lots of new starters to support, long-term patients impacting staffing considerations, and endless other demands on her time.
Her approachable and kind nature means that staff often knock on the office door for a chat, and she never makes them feel rushed. She always takes time to listen and consider how she can support those individuals.
She does have a tendency to look at her emails on leave and replies to requests for advice/help even when she is not at work, which means she is often sacrificing her own time to support her team. We have tried to tell her to rest(!), but she is clearly very passionate about the ward and wants to help in any way she can.
Michelle goes above and beyond for her team. I couldn’t ask for a more caring ward manager. She is always there for her staff and willing to listen, offer advice and support.
Not only is Michelle ward manager, she is often seen on the ward working clinical to support with staffing numbers etc. If I was in with my child I couldn’t ask for a more caring nurse to look after them.
Becky Trew
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Becky has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her career. Her dedication, clinical knowledge, and steady approach make her someone that everyone trusts and relies on.
She is an outstanding example of effective multidisciplinary teamworking, especially in restitutions. Becky communicates clearly, works collaboratively. Her presence on shift contributes directly to the smooth running of the team and the delivery of safe, coordinated care.
Through her work, Becky has made a meaningful impact on both staff and patient wellbeing. She is someone people know they can turn to for support, she helps others do their jobs better to their full potential.
One of Becky’s most consistent strengths is her ability to advocate for patients and their families. She is confident, thoughtful, and persistent when it comes to ensuring children get the care they need, and she does so with compassion and respect.
On a personal note, Becky has provided me with so much support and friendship throughout my career, and I am truly grateful for this. I know I can go to Becky about absolutely anything, and she has always been approachable, understanding, and ready to listen. Becky goes above and beyond for others with support and kindness and I am deeply grateful for this. She provides others with such thoughtfulness (even in the form of a cuppa tea). She has been there for me time and again, and that support has meant more than words can say.
Becky truly embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice and the values of the RCPCH. She provides care with integrity, kindness, and professionalism, and we are lucky to have her as part of our team.
Carla Trotman
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Carla is an excellent nurse that consistently goes above and beyond to provide the highest standards of care for her patients and colleagues. She is committed to ensuring every person she meets has a positive experience in their emergency department journey. She models MD teamwork through collaborative work to ensure best outcomes by bringing people together. Her ability to listen provides patients and their families with a trusting and respectful rapport where their expectations have been met. She inspires her colleagues by her practice that ensures patient safety, dignity and wellbeing whilst providing empowerment through teaching and health promotion. Her unwavering confidence to advocate for patients and their families is admirable and creates an environment where new nurses can confidently deliver the same escalation and advocacy. Carla fully embodies the principles of nursing practice and the values of the RCPCH through her integrity, compassion and professionalism. She is a role model that reflects the very best of nursing.
Fiona veale
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Fi is currently serving as Interim Matron, is a truly remarkable leader who always takes the time to check in on the paediatric team. She is warm, friendly and welcoming, making everyone feel valued and supported from the moment they meet her.
Fi is exceptionally approachable and always willing to listen, offering guidance, encouragement and practical support whenever it’s needed. Her genuine care for her staff goes above and beyond—she consistently looks out for their wellbeing, ensuring that everyone feels supported both professionally and personally.
Her kindness, empathy, and unwavering dedication make her a joy to work with. Fi’s presence positively impacts the team every day and her commitment to caring for both patients and staff alike makes her truly deserving of recognition.
Wendy Viggers
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Throughout her distinguished career, Wendy has demonstrated unwavering excellence in every aspect of her practice. Her commitment to delivering the highest standards of care has been a consistent hallmark of her professional journey, inspiring colleagues and elevating the quality of services across every team she has worked with, and continues to work with.
Wendy encourages open communication and is a joy to work alongside, hearing her voice when your coming on shift, makes you feel in good hands and that you are in for a good day.
A dedicated advocate for patients and their families, Wendy ensures that every voice—especially those most vulnerable—is heard, respected, and central to all decision-making. Her holistic, compassionate approach to advocacy has earned them the trust of families and the admiration of colleagues who look to her as a model of what nursing leadership should be.
Above all, Wendy embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice and the values of the RCPCH in everything she does. Her professionalism, integrity, empathy, and commitment to continuous improvement have already left a lasting legacy that will positively influence future generations of nurses.
Wendy has shown consistent excellence throughout her nursing career. I first met her as a student, and over more than 20 years of working together I have seen her dedication, skill, and professionalism in every role—from paediatric conversion trainee to Sister, Respiratory Community Nurse, and now a “retiree” who still contributes tirelessly on CAU and CHDU. Her experience and commitment make her an exceptional practitioner.
She is a true example of outstanding multidisciplinary team work. You often hear her before you see her, greeting colleagues with her trademark “Ere Doc” or “Titch,” often followed by stories of her farm and cows—because nursing alone isn’t enough for Wendy! She supports medical staff, nurses, and learners alike, creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and able to give their best.
Wendy’s impact on patient and staff wellbeing is remarkable. Her clinical knowledge, steady presence, and guidance have shaped countless careers, including my own. Working alongside Wendy gives the whole team confidence—she consistently elevates the standard of care.
Above all, Wendy is an unwavering advocate for patients and families. Her compassion, honesty, and ability to communicate clearly ensure that children and parents feel supported and heard. Families trust her, and her advocacy consistently leads to better, safer care.
Wendy embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice in everything she does. She is very much respected across Level 12 not only as a highly skilled nurse but as a supportive colleague, mentor, and role model. Many of us see her as a work mum, always ready to listen and offer wise guidance. She represents the very best of nursing—both on the ward and on the farm!
Wendy has been looking after the children of Plymouth for longer than most of us have been able to spell “bronchiolitis.” Having worked as a respiratory nurse for most of her career, she had now attained legendary status on the Children’s Assessment Unit. Wendy has been the backbone, watchdog, safety net, and occasional comic relief of CAU for as long as I’ve known you.
Wendy takes absolutely no nonsense, from anyone. She can cut anyone down to size with one raised eyebrow and whether you’re fresh out of medical school or a senior consultant, you’re still “doccy-doo” — and you will do exactly what she says, because she is usually right!
But behind the fierce exterior is one of the kindest nurses you’ll ever meet. Families feel safe the moment she walks into the room, and staff know that in an emergency, Wendy will be the calm, capable force holding everything together. If Wendy is on, the rest of us breathe easier.
She embodies teamwork, advocacy, compassion, and pure common sense. Wendy has supported, protected, educated, and occasionally terrorised generations of staff — all to make children’s care better.
Quite simply, she’s a legend, and no one deserves this award more.
Jade Waites
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Jade is an incredible nurse who has dedicated her career to caring for others with compassion, skill, and kindness. She has consistently gone above and beyond for her patients and colleagues, and her commitment to nursing never wavers. Her wealth of knowledge, experience, and genuine care make her someone everyone looks up to.
She’s the kind of nurse who brings the whole team together. Jade works brilliantly with everyone—doctors, nurses, and support staff—and always makes sure people feel supported and valued. Her positivity and teamwork make such a difference to the department and to the people she works alongside.
Jade truly lives the values of nursing—compassion, respect, and excellence. She’s one of those people who makes everyone’s day a little better just by being there. Her dedication and the difference she’s made to so many people make her truly deserving of the Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award.
Alison Webb
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Alison is our paediatrics diabetes nursing team lead at UHP. She is dedicated and kind and always goes the extra mile for the patients. Alison overcomes challenges thrown at her with a smile and always knows how to boost the morale of the team around her. I have found her to be immensely supportive when managing complex cases, and always a pleasure to work alongside.
Alison White
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Alison has over 40 years of paediatric nursing under her belt, and has been in her current role as a PDSN for 20 years. During this time she has touched the lives of so many children and their families, supported them during some of their most challenging times, always going over and above for them and advocating strongly for them. Alison strives for excellence, maintaining skills in the ever changing world of diabetes management keeping up to date with the technological advancements.
Alison provides much valued education to the ward nurses sharing her skills and knowledge with other team members. She has taught and guided me as a doctor who is developing knowledge in the specialty. As a MDT we work really closely together and Alison’s experience, knowledge and support is so valued by all who work with her.
Within her own time Alison continues to show her dedication to her career and the care of children with diabetes, she has been involved with diabetes UK summer camp providing senior nursing support to the children involved in that and raised money for our Children’s diabetes charity. Alison really deserves to be recognised for her achievements and dedication both in the diabetes service and to nursing as a whole.
Claire Wilson
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Claire is an amazing college, she has a wide range of experience and knowledge. She is always willing to take the time to support other member of the team.
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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 