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An extra-special NHS Hammersmith and Fulham nurse has just been named as a national nurse of the year for child health.
Lin Graham-Ray, Hammersmith and Fulham’s Designated Nurse Consultant for Looked-After Children has won the Nursing Standard’s 2009 Nurse of the Year Award for Child Health. Established in 1988, the awards identify outstanding achievement and promote excellence and innovation in nursing care, and around 3,000 people apply for the honours every year.
As the borough’s designated nurse consultant for looked-after children, Lin’s post is jointly funded by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Lin was one of London’s very first designated nurse consultants, so she brings a lot of knowledge, experience and expertise to the borough. She said: “There’s never a dull moment in this job. There’s always a new challenge and I’m constantly entertained by the kids – they’re very eloquent and very honest.”
Since starting with the NHS in Hammersmith and Fulham in 2000, Lin and her colleagues have worked hard to make positive changes to the healthcare service for looked-after children. Lin said: “The feedback we get from young people is constantly helping to improve the service. For example, when out on visits we now wear jeans because the children told us that we’re more approachable and easier to talk to in casual clothes. We also now provide advice in a number of different ways – I have an agony aunt column in the borough’s magazine for looked-after children. The young people told us that’s what they want, so we worked with the magazine to make it happen.”
There are currently around 60,000 looked-after children living in the care of their local authority in the UK. Looked-after children nurses like Lin support these young people by building their trust, taking care of their health and answering all their health and wellbeing questions.
News of the award nomination came as a complete surprise to Lin. She said: “One of my colleagues nominated me anonymously so I really had no idea. The first I heard about it was when I got an email saying that that I’d been shortlisted for the child health award. I then had to prepare a response with information about the work I’ve been doing over the past year.”
“I was really delighted when the organisers sent me an email saying that I won. About 3000 people applied for the different categories but I’m excited to have won.”
Sarah Whiting, Managing Director of NHS Hammersmith and Fulham, said: “We’re all delighted and very proud that Lin has won this award and been recognised for all her great work. We are working hard to make sure that people in our borough get access to the very best care and that our workforce reflects the very best of the NHS. “
Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, Leader of H&F Council, added: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are all very proud of Lin. She and the team do a great job with the children, many of whom don’t have the easiest start in life, and their support makes a real difference. It’s wonderful that Lin and her team have had the recognition they deserve.”
Lin will receive her award at a special ceremony at London’s Dorchester Hotel in November this year.
Additional photos of Lin are available. If you would like a chance to interview Lin Graham-Ray or would like to apply for tickets to attend the award ceremony on Monday 9 November 2009, contact Angharad Davies, Communications Officer, on 020 3313 7227 or email angharad.davies@hf-pct.nhs.uk
Notes to editors
August 3, 2009
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