Perinatal nurse specialist Helen Jackson, of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), has won a regional award for Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery in the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024.
Helen, a perinatal clinical nurse specialist, advanced nurse practitioner and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapist, was nominated for her dedication, passion and commitment to her role. She goes above and beyond, working tirelessly to ensure timely patient care.
Nick Timothy, MP for West Suffolk, said: “I’m delighted to hear that Helen’s tireless commitment has been recognised with an NHS Parliamentary Award for nursing and midwifery. Our NHS carers show such dedication every single day, and this award is a fitting testament to Helen’s unremitting excellence in performing her vital role.”
Earlier this year, Mr Timothy’s predecessor as MP for West Suffolk, Matt Hancock, put forward this nomination to highlight Helen’s exceptional contribution to healthcare in the local area and she will now go forward for the national awards later this year.
Helen said: “I’m thrilled to win this award. It’s such a wonderful surprise and reflects all the hard work we as a team provide to support women and their families in what is the most amazing as well the most vulnerable time of their life. I feel privileged to support women during their antenatal and postnatal care. Most of all, the award recognises the value of trauma-informed care and supporting women through this life-changing moment in their lives.”
Anthony Deery, Chief Nurse with NSFT, said: “I am delighted Helen has been recognised for her outstanding work in improving antenatal care. Her energy, passion and dedication inspire everyone around her. She is highly regarded by service users and colleagues alike, and rightly so. She represents the very best of patient care and is a role model for our Trust’s vision to provide safer, kinder, better care.”
The NHS Parliamentary Awards were created in 2018 to celebrate the outstanding contribution of staff, volunteers and others working in the health and care sector. In the first stage of the awards, MPs nominate healthcare teams and individuals in their local area to highlight their exceptional commitment and achievements working in and with the NHS.
Helen going forward to the national awards is a particular achievement this year, with 318 MPs across England putting forward 918 nominations – a far greater number than in any previous year.
There are 10 award categories this year which cover innovation and exceptional care right across the breadth of healthcare services. The Nursing and Midwifery Award recognises a nurse or midwife who uses their skills to ensure that patients experience care and compassion.
A panel of national judges – made up of notable figures across the healthcare sector – will now select the national winners of this year’s awards. These winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 14 October 2024 – when healthcare leaders, finalists and MPs will celebrate the immense contribution which healthcare staff make to the NHS.
