A Nottingham University Hospitals nurse has won a Team NUH Award, in the Ambitious category.  | Latest news

A Nottingham University Hospitals nurse has won a Team NUH Award, in the Ambitious category.  Nottingham Health Science Partners (NHSP) are kindly sponsoring both the Empower Award and the Ambitious Award. NHSP aim to accelerate research discoveries by connecting the expertise from the NHS, academia and the life sciences industry across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Dr Sarah Brand, Assistant Divisional Nurse for Cancer and Associated Specialties and Renal Research Team Leader, was nominated for her tireless commitment to the development, training and education of NUH staff, and her passion for clinical research.

Kerri Jenkins, Research Facilitator in our Research & Innovation department, for Cancer and Associated Specialities,and Sarah's nominator, said: "In 18 months the number of clinical trials available to our Renal patients has substantially increased and there are now a large number of interventional and; observational studies open, to ensure as many patients as possible have the opportunity to be involved in research.  Sarah remains key to this development.  She is an excellent team leader and her commitment, dedication and ambition to evolve research pathways has a long-lasting impact on a large number of patients. 

Her commitment and drive to develop training pathways and support with staff education within the Trust is outstanding.  She has organised a series of Learning Lunches which offers staff the opportunity to consider the broader impacts of research and understand the influence their work has at a regional and national level.  She ensures an inclusive and welcome environment and encourages staff to engage in development opportunity alongside clinical practise.  Sarah is also working to increase placements for students Nottingham University to help them gain an insight into Research." 

Sarah qualified as a nurse in 1999 and gained experience on respiratory and plastic surgery wards before moving to critical care. She also became a research nurse and has continued this part of her role for the last 15 years. Inspired to pursue a nursing career by her Mum, she said: "I looked at my mum in her nursing role and realised she made such a difference to people’s lives and they relied on her to be there. So I embraced nursing and I’m glad I did, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now." 

Sarah is passionate about education and has completed a PhD whilst working. “Nursing is full of opportunities, there’s a role for everybody,” explains Sarah. “I feel privileged to meet amazing patients and amazing members of staff. If I can make a difference to a person’s life, even for just a few minutes, that makes me really happy. Sometimes it’s the small things we do that people remember forever.”

Our Acting Chief Executive, Rupert Egginton, presented Sarah with her award as a surprise. Sarah was awarded with a certificate, badge and lanyard, and will be invited to a celebration ceremony in the autumn of 2022.

Our awards programme is open for nominations 365 days a year. A winning and highly commended nomination in each category is decided on three times a year (December, March and June) by our internal judging panel. The staff and teams that have been voted for are presented with their awards at our hospitals throughout the year. We call these the quarterly rounds. In the autumn, we then hold an annual ceremony. All staff and teams that have been awarded in the quarterly rounds are invited and an external judging panel vote for one overall winner in each of the eight categories. At the annual ceremony, we also announced our 'Volunteer of the Year' - nominations are open 365 days a year, and the result is announced only at the annual ceremony. Nominating our staff, and for staff to nominate their colleagues can go a long way. It doesn't take long, and you could really make big impact by doing so. Please follow the instructions below, depending on whether you are a member of the public or a member of our staff. Nominations can be submitted here.

In late 2020, Sarah also won a Cavell Star Award. Nursing charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust launched the Cavell Star Awards in 2018 in partnership with Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare. Nominations are being sought from nursing teams throughout the UK for that special team mate who has shown exceptional care for either their colleagues or their patients and patients’ families. Each Cavell Star Award winner receives a medal, presentation case and pin badge as well as invites to attend a special Care & Cake Garden Party, celebrating of the nation’s nursing and midwifery professionals.

 

Kindly sponsored by Nottingham Health Science Partners.