The South Tyneside staff nurse who loves helping the elderly

Sam Nicholson works as part of the team on Ward 19 at South Tyneside Hospital and has enjoyed being part of the set-up for the last nine years.

She looks after dozens of patients a day and told how she loved the team spirit among her colleagues.

“Everyone mixes with everyone,” said Sam. “Everyone is valued.”

One of her current roles is to help bring about a reduction in falls levels among the elderly and added: “At the moment, there has been an increase and we are trying to reduce it.

“No two days are the same in here. You do feel very valued in what you are doing and no-one puts you down for stepping up and saying ‘perhaps you are not doing this right’.”

One of the highlights of her work, she said, was the feedback from a patient who had been “bounced around different hospitals” but then arrived at SHouth Tyneside Hospital.

“We spent a lot of time with her and she said ‘I feel like I am the only patient in the hospital the way you have talked to me’.

“That will keep us going for about six months. For someone to say that to us makes it all worthwhile.”

Sam spoke to the Gazette to give her backing to this year’s Best of Health Awards.

She is one example of the excellent people working in the health profession and you can put them in the running for honours by nominating them for a Best of Health Award.

The sponsors for this year’s awards are South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, and the Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group.

The deadline for all nominations to be submitted is Monday, April 2, and the judges will meet the following week to decide on the shortlist.

The final will be held at the Roker Hotel, in Sunderland, on Thursday, April 26.

To nominate, send your name, address and phone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into.

Also send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known).

Send all the details to Lynn Wild by no later than Monday, April 2.

Email those entries to [email protected] or send them to Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.

THE CATEGORIES.

l GP Practice of the Year.

l Hospital Doctor of the Year.

l Nurse of the Year.

l Community Nurse of the Year.

l Dentist/ Practice of the Year.

l Optometrist of the Year.

l Therapist of the Year.

l Care worker of the Year.

l Dental Nurse of the Year.

l Midwife of the Year.

l Pharmacist of the Year.

l Team of the Year.

l Customer Service/ Unsung hero Award.

l Long term Achievement.