A ‘FANTASTIC’ Worcester nurse has received national recognition for the outstanding care she is giving to patients with bowel cancer.
Bernice Kent, who works at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, was awarded with the Gary Logue Colorectal Nurse Award on Monday at the National Colorectal Cancer Nurses Network conference, run by charity Beating Bowel Cancer.
The clinical nurse specialist received the award after a nomination from a patient she had supported throughout her journey to recovery.
Bernice’s nomination described the fantastic support, encouragement, professionalism and dedication she gave to all her patients.
The special award aims to recognise nurses who make a big difference to the lives of their bowel cancer patients.
“As a colorectal clinical nurse specialist helping patients through their bowel cancer diagnosis and the trials that comes with this is not always easy, but the people I am fortunate enough to meet inspire and surprise me in so many ways,” Bernice said.
“The nominations I have received have really touched me from the bottom of my heart, what an honour and privilege to know I have been able to make people feel safe and supported in some way when they are going through such a devastating and life-changing period.”
Sue Rogers, the patient who nominated Bernice, said: “Bernice makes me feel safe, and for anyone that has cancer and is going through treatment, this is the most valuable feeling to have.
“Bernice empowered me to be as positive as I could on my journey to recovery.”
Chief Nurse of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Vicky Morris said: “We’re very proud of Bernice’s achievement in winning this award. “She should be particularly honoured that she was nominated for the award by one of her patients, as this shows that the excellent care she is delivering is being recognised by her patients.”
Interim Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, Judith Brodie, said: “We’re thrilled to present Bernice with this award. Her dedication to her work and her willingness to go above and beyond for her patients is inspiring. She’s a role model for all those who work with cancer patients and greatly deserves this recognition.
“We wanted to say thank you to her for all the fantastic work she does to make lives better for bowel cancer patients and their families.”
