IT WAS an emotional evening for those attending the Director of Nursing Awards 2010, where dedicated nursing staff were recognised for their commitment to caring for others.

Donna Green, director of nursing at Basingstoke hospital, addressed the audience at Sherfield School in Sherfield-on-Loddon, where the room was filled with nurses and their families, along with members of the public who had nominated them.

She said the ceremony, which is now in its fifth year, was one of her favourite parts of her job, and added: “This is an emotional event, set up to recognise the hard work, commitment and contribution nurses and midwives made to patient care.”

Mrs Green added the NHS is facing tough challenges in the future, with financial cutbacks on the cards. However, she promised that the level or care and commitment would not falter, and said it was important to maintain “those important elements to treat people with compassion, dignity and respect.”

In total, 94 nominations were received by members of the public, and the winners were chosen by a panel of judges.

Individual winners were awarded prizes of dinner at Tylney Hall, or a team-building day for the winning teams.

The Individual Nurse Award was presented to Trona Campbell. The nurse specialist, chosen from nine candidates, was nominated by a patient who she helped through bladder cancer, and who described her as “companionate and professional”.

Members of the Gynaecology Nursing Team were presented with an award for the best nursing team, after gaining 13 nominations.

The audience heard from a woman who was five weeks pregnant when she went into hospital.

She said of the team: “They were incredible. There was nothing that was too much for them to do.”

Jackie Vaux, a healthcare assistant on E3 ward, was chosen for the Individual Nurse Award, nominated by patient Kim Wells.

A statement read out from her said: “Jackie spoke to me like I was human. She totally deserves the nomination for being a lovely lady.”

Midwife Sue Skelton and sister Liz Stanton, both on the neonatal unit received the Individual Nurse/ Midwife award.

The Ann Daniels award was presented to members of the Gynaecology Ward by John Daniels. The award is in memory of his mother who died in June 2008 after being treated at the hospital for 15 years for chronic digestive failure.

Mr Daniels said: “The NHS provided my mum with a lifetime of support and we felt it was appropriate to give something back in return.”

The second special award was presented by the Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club to the Diabetes Nursing Team.