The dedication and commitment of nurses everywhere will be celebrated tomorrow (sun) as part of International Nurses Day.

To mark the occasion, several of those working across north and west Cumbria have been singled out by their colleagues for special Glimpse of Brilliance awards.

The accolades are awarded to those working across North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, having been nominated by fellow staff members and patients.

Usually given out on a weekly basis, this week the two trusts have been celebrating the achievements of their staff every day in the run up to International Nurses Day.

Here are some of the winners:

Leo Pangan is a staff nurse at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary.

His nomination said: : "Leo was successful in gaining a place on the national Windrush Leadership Programme offered by the Florence Nightingale Foundation. The programme offers career development opportunities to recognise the contribution of 'Windrush' nurses and midwives across the 70 years of the NHS.

“Leo is a very modest person, kind, caring and totally patient centred. He has managed to successfully juggle the challenges of family, work and study to complete the programme and represented the brilliant work happening in North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.”

Linda Graham, community nursing team leader in Eden.

Her nomination said: “Linda consistently demonstrates exceptionally high standards of nursing care whether its within her own community and team or when supporting others across Cumbria.

"Linda has developed the skills of her team members and peer colleagues, including nurses or other professions. She respects and enhances the individual clinicians differing skills and knowledge everyone brings to the team.

"Linda has worked as a front line lead for many years and has also demonstrated flexibility and commitment to help model future ways of working with the care group and integrated care communities.”

Judy Gopsill, nurse and complimentary therapist at Hospice at Home.

Her nomination said: “Everyone, patients, carers and colleagues, would like to nominate Judy for a Glimpse of Brilliance. Judy provides complementary therapies for patients receiving radiotherapy at the Cumberland Infirmary. She is calm and reassuring at this distressing time in patients’ lives, patients will often ‘open up’ to Judy and voice concerns that are passed to the therapeutic radiographers so they can act on them and provide any information or support needed.

"Recently, the radiotherapy department held a week of health and wellness events and Judy gave up her day off to support them, offering hand massages to patients, carers and even some staff. The team wouldn’t be without her.”

Susan Mein and Kelly Marsden, safeguarding nurses

Their nomination said: “Over the past year the safeguarding team have been faced with challenges, however Susan and Kelly have been on hand to offer specialist safeguarding advice for the trust and have always made time to speak to staff to offer support and information. Kelly and Susan have made sure safeguarding is on everyone’s radar and even in times of reduced capacity have ensured safeguarding training is prioritised.

"Susan and Kelly are always helpful and positive when offering support to staff.”

Ashley Macauley, ward manager on the Eden Unit, Penrith

Her nomination said: “Ashley moved to Cumbria from Cambridge six years ago after qualifying as a nurse. Since then, Ashley has worked as a staff nurse on the community inpatient unit and has demonstrated her passion to deliver the highest standard of patient care, showing a calm kind approach to patients, families and showing respect to her colleagues.

"In November 2018, Ashley successfully secured the ward manager role, where she continues to embed the highest quality of care to her patients and support and develop her team members’ skills. Ashley is committed to developing her leadership skills and enhancing her nursing skills in order to support the community inpatient units and care group as new innovations and future opportunities arise.”

Jo Wilcox, children's learning disabilities nurse and clinical lead

Her nomination said: “Jo has been fundamental in developing the new children's learning disabilities and behaviour support service.

"Jo demonstrates commitment and dedication to continuously improve the care provided to children and their families across the whole county and shows passion in ensuring that the team is supported to deliver high level and quality care.

"Jo is always there to provide support to those in the service as well as to others working in other teams, to ensure that people with learning disabilities and or autism receive the best possible care and support.

"Thank you Jo for all you have done and continue to do in supporting us and in particular through lots of changes we face this year.”

The News & Star and the local health service teamed up to run an NHS 70 campaign, telling inspirational stories of dedicated workers and inspirational patients. It is now in the running for a national Making a Difference award and we need your help. Voting takes seconds. Click

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