A SENIOR nurse who leads Abergele’s District Nurses has been shortlisted for a UK-wide award.

Amanda Hughes, team leader, is in the running to win the Nurse Manager of the Year award at the Nursing Times Workforce awards.

Mandy was described as the "go to" person to help her staff, and was shortlisted by judges for her tireless work to support the Abergele team over the last three-and-a-half years.

Nichola Hughes, interim head of Community and Primary Care Nursing, nominated Mandy for the award, and praised her proactive approach to training to meet the challenge presented by Covid-19.

Rhyl Journal:

Team Leader Amanda Hughes with colleagues

Nichola said: “Amanda has such a wealth of knowledge that she is often peoples first ‘go to’ person. Amanda always puts staff first and even if she does not have the answer, she will find it out.

“Amanda has been an immense support to me over the last two years and she is always willing to go the extra mile for people.

“Her team are a cohesive, hard-working and happy group that works so well together.

“This last 12 months alone staff have undertaken University modules in care of patients with complex needs, Diabetes management, leg ulcer care, counselling and the District Nurse Specialist Practice Award. One HCSW has been supported to complete her Level 4 QCF and is now looking forward to starting her nurse training.

“With Covid, she also made a huge effort to make sure training and reassurance was available to the whole team, with dedicated sessions put on about PPE and new CPR guidance.

“The whole team is thriving under Mandy’s leadership, and I can’t imagine anyone more deserving than her of this award.”

Mandy said: “I’m really surprised and overwhelmed to be nominated, and wouldn’t have been without the dedication and hard work of all of our team in Abergele.

“The last few months with Covid-19 have been really tough for everyone, but I’m really proud of the team for keeping their standards so high and continuing to do their best for our patients.”

The Nursing Times Workforce awards will take place on December 2, as part of a two-day summit on supporting the management and development of nurses across the UK.

The awards highlight and reward innovation in workforce planning and management.