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The best of UK nursing is recognised at the Nursing Standard Nurse Awards

Winners in 15 categories and our Nurse of the Year were announced during a ceremony at The Savoy hotel in London.

The very best of UK nursing was celebrated during the glittering Nursing Standard Nurse Awards 2015 ceremony in London last night.

Guests at the world-famous Savoy hotel heard examples of outstanding nursing practice and innovation from each of the 32 finalists in 15 categories before the winners were announced.

The annual awards, being held for the 26th year, highlight exceptional nursing professionals who improve the quality of patient care through their initiatives.

Following a champagne reception and dinner, nearly 300 guests eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners during the ceremony hosted by actor and comedian Rufus Hound.

Mr Hound entertained an audience including England’s chief nursing officer Jane Cummings, Nursing and Midwifery Council chief executive Jackie Smith and Sir Robert Francis, chair of the inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Amanda Burston, a major trauma co-ordinator from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust who spearheaded the creation of a domestic violence service in the emergency department, was named overall Nurse of the Year.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board divisional nurse primary care Tanya Strange, who set up the Care Home 'Ask and Talk' (CHAaT) volunteer service in Wales, won the Enhancing the Experience of Care Award.

‘I am delighted,' she said. 'The Nurse Awards are so prestigious and give you a professional platform to share your practice.'

Mark Collins, of Ulster University, won the Andrew Parker Student Nurse Award, while Sergeant Pride Gaka-Chisoro won the Defence Nursing Award.

Pride Gaka-Chisoro

Sergeant Pride Gaka-Chisoro won the Defence Nursing Award. Picture credit: Tim George

RCN general secretary Peter Carter, who attended the ceremony, said: ‘Not everyone can be a nurse – it takes both immense compassion and high-level skills.

‘The Nursing Standard Nurse Awards are a wonderful way to recognise those who truly thrive in their profession, developing and innovating to make a real difference to patient care.’

He added that the standard of the finalists and winners was ‘extremely impressive’.

Other guests included Charlotte McArdle and Jean White, the chief nursing officers for Northern Ireland and Wales respectively, London Black and Minority Network for NHS Staff and Allied professionals chair Lynette Phillips, Queen’s Nursing Institute chief executive Crystal Oldman and health policy analyst Roy Lilley.

Professor White said: 'The quality of entrants were high again this year.

‘I was particularly pleased to see examples of innovation in practice instigated and led by nurses.

‘I find judging these awards a real pleasure as it demonstrates to me the commitment of nurses to develop and deliver high-quality care and effective service models.’

Nursing Standard editor Graham Scott, a member of the judging panel, said: ‘Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who highlighted the very best of nursing practice.

‘The standard of the entries we received for all the categories was truly outstanding and the evening was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements.’

Click here for the full list of winners