By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated at 12:06, Friday, 02 November 2012

A senior nurse has scooped a national award for her outstanding contribution to cancer care.

Award: Consultant Cancer Nurse Helen Roe

Helen Roe, a leading nurse at north Cumbria’s hospitals, was awarded the UK Oncology Nursing Society’s President’s Award at a national conference in Harrogate. The award is only made once every two years.

It acknowledges the specialised work Helen has carried out throughout her career, particularly since becoming one of the UK’s first consultant cancer nurses 11 years ago.

She said: “The award was totally out of the blue, I had no idea whatsoever. I really wasn’t expecting it.”

Outgoing President Cheryl Vidall said Helen had been singled out for her work to develop online learning modules and for her publications about cancer nursing.

She said: “In my opinion, Helen has made an outstanding contribution to cancer nursing. I have worked with her closely over the past few years.

“Her knowledge, passion and professionalism is a rare thing to find in nursing today. I commend her commitment to cancer nursing and have found her to be a great support to me in my role while I was the UKONS President,” she said.

“It is awarded to her from peers, which is the greatest recognition and accolade a cancer nurse can receive.”

Chris Platton, acting nursing director at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, described it as an excellent achievement for Helen, her team, the Carlisle and Whitehaven hospitals at which she works, and their patients.

In 2010 Helen won the Patients’ Award at the trust’s Celebrating Excellence Awards, after being named Nurse of the Year at the previous ceremony.

First published at 11:57, Friday, 02 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk