Charmaine Watts - a local NHS healthcare worker from Gosport - has been awarded a coveted national ‘Chief Nursing Officer Award’ for healthcare support workers. Charmaine, who works for Southern Health, was nominated for her outstanding work providing care to vulnerable diabetes patients and education to support staff in care homes.
Annette Farrell, Health Care Support Worker Programme Lead from NHS England (Southeast), presented the award to Charmaine alongside Southern Health’s Paula Hull (Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals) and Trish Phillips (Area Matron).
Presenting the award, Annette said: “The people chosen for this award demonstrate the great NHS values of kindness and compassion. They are supportive to their teams, great leaders in their roles and exceptional support workers for our patients. Charmaine achieved across all these areas and is a wonderful example of the support workers we want in the NHS.”
Southern Health’s most senior nurse, Paula Hull commented: “Charmaine is the first person in Southern Health to receive the Chief Nursing Officer Award - which is an incredible achievement. I feel so proud of Charmaine and the difference she has made to patients. Charmaine is a real role model for healthcare support workers throughout the Trust.”
Trish Phillips, who nominated Charmaine, added: “Charmaine is always cheerful, enthusiastic and cares deeply about her patients, her peers, and her colleagues. She is a huge asset to our team, the Trust and to healthcare.”
On receiving the award, Charmaine said: “It’s overwhelming, an absolute honour to be nominated. To receive an award like this is phenomenal and I’m really proud of myself – thank you!”
The award comes from Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England and recognises the valuable contribution and role that all support workers make to the NHS.