Seven Trust nurses surprised with awards from Regional Chief Nurse

Regional Chief Nurse Andrea Lewis and Regional Chief Midwife Kaye Wilson recently visited Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

They were shown around the Neonatal Unit and Research and Innovation and met with nursing staff from across the Trust.

Following the visit Andrea surprised seven nurses by presenting them with the prestigious Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Silver Award for their outstanding contributions to nursing.

Steph Hartley, Nurse Consultant for Ophthalmology received the award for significantly improving patient care through her leadership and innovation.

With over 40 years of experience, she has reduced waiting times, implemented nurseled services, and spearheaded the development of the Amersham AMD (agerelated macular degeneration) suite. Stephanie’s commitment to excellence, patient-centred care, and professional development has earned her the respect of colleagues and recognition within the Trust.

Jael Ramcharitar, Lead Nurse for Diagnostics was nominated for demonstrating excellent leadership and dedication to making improvements for patients through her work. She has focused on improving pathways, patient safety, and experience. Jael is an outstanding example of the valuable contribution our internationally educated nurses bring to the NHS, patients, and colleagues.

Ann Poll, Health on the High Street Project Manager was nominated for working tirelessly with children, young people and their families, demonstrating unwavering commitment and exceptional care throughout her career. She has significantly improved healthcare services for children and young people with learning disabilities in

Buckinghamshire and her initiatives, such as the Access All Areas event and Sexual Health Promotion Roadshows, have increased awareness and access to care.

May Parsons, Associate Chief Nurse was recognised for her significant contributions to healthcare. Her career highlights include leading respiratory teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, administering the first COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials, and representing the NHS at the Queen’s funeral.

She is passionate about nursing advocacy and equality, serving as a Regional Director for the Filipino Nurses Association UK. Parsons has received numerous accolades, including the Endeavour Award from Coventry University and recognition as one of the top 75 nurses and midwives by the Nursing Times. She has also been named a Global Ambassador for the OET and founded the May Parsons Foundation to support Filipino nurses.

Anne Hutton, Matron for Surgery received the award for epitomising the meaning of a nurse, with over 40 years of experience she is kind, compassionate and dedicated to her patients and staff. Anne goes above and beyond and her main focus is always trying to deliver the best care that she can in often difficult circumstances.

Jo Shackleton, Deputy Director for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) was recognised for being an experienced IPC expert having joined the Trust during the pandemic and has made significant contributions. She led the team through challenging times, implementing strategies to reduce infections. Her initiatives include establishing a surgical site surveillance team, improving antibiotic prescribing, and launching a ‘Back to Basics’ campaign. Jo is a strong advocate for IPC, collaborating with colleagues and promoting diversity and inclusion. Her dedication and leadership have positively impacted patient care and staff development.

Jose Facultad, Associate Chief Nurse was nominated for his significant contributions to healthcare. Jose has led initiatives to improve patient care, such as developing an acuity tool and implementing safer staffing practices. He has also been instrumental in reducing agency spend and vacancy rates.

His passion for quality, patient safety, and workforce development has made him a valuable asset to the Trust.

Trust Chief Executive, Neil Macdonald said: “On behalf of the Trust I’d like to congratulate Steph, Jael, Ann, May, Anne, Jo and Jose on being awarded the CNO Silver Award. The experience and knowledge these individuals bring to our teams is second to none and they are all highly respected by their colleagues. The NHS is nothing without its people and these are all shining examples of the very best of the NHS.”

Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse at the Trust: “I am immensely proud of my nursing colleagues receiving these awards. All seven individuals truly embody what it means to be a nurse and go above any beyond to ensure patients receive outstanding care. Their commitment and dedication to the NHS is invaluable and they are always striving to make Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust a great place to work.”