Brighton nurse shortlisted for national award

A Brighton nurse has been shortlisted for a national award as pioneering nurse of the year.

Jason Gray, who works at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, in Brighton, was nominated in this year’s Welch Allyn Pioneers of Care Awards.

He was shortlisted for campaigning for a dedicated children’s emergency department in Brighton with trained children’s nurses.

Dr Helen Griffiths, a nurse consultant, university lecturer and member of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology, said: “The NHS is such a huge organisation that sometimes it’s hard to believe that one person can make real change.

“However, Jason has shown that through commitment and passion it is possible, and the new children’s emergency department and children’s emergency nurse practitioner team demonstrate this.”

The Welch Allyn Pioneers of Care Awards are now in their third year and aim to celebrate the trailblazing efforts of nurses across the country.

Jan McMeekin, the UK manager of sponsor Welch Allyn, said: “It is all too easy to take nurses, and trainee nurses, for granted.

“By highlighting their pioneering work with patients and inspiring efforts while training, we can show just how much we owe them.”

The awards ceremony is due to take place on Friday 18 July at the Royal Institute of British Architects in central London.