A nurse who supports people in Eastbourne and South Wealden who have multiple sclerosis has been recognised for her hard work and dedication at the South East Coast region’s Best of Health Awards 2010.
Vicky Lester, who specialises in multiple sclerosis (MS) care, was amongst the nominees on the shortlist for the Health and Social Care Professional of the Year prize.
The Best of Health Awards - the regional heat of the national Health and Social Care Awards - celebrates the innovative and inspirational achievements of teams and individuals working in the region.
NHS South East Coast - the strategic health authority for Kent, Surrey and Sussex - which organises the annual celebration, received more than 160 nominations all vying for one of the eight awards on offer.
Vicky Lester made the shortlist after being nominated by the charities MS Family Support and the MS Society, both of which she works with closely.
In particular, Vicky's nomination highlighted the way she has helped many people affected by MS to get their lives back on track, including providing support to their carers’ and their families.
In addition she has been able to give people key advice and information and organise a number of courses to help people to better understand their condition.
NHS South East Coast Chairman, Kate Lampard and Chief Executive, Candy Morris announced the winners and presented the Best of Health Awards at a ceremony in Brighton.
Kate Lampard, Chairman, NHS South East Coast said:
"The Health and Social Care Awards are a great way to celebrate our champions and ambassadors who relish the challenges they face and have the desire to do things better.
Showcasing the very best of what we do helps to inspire others to do the same.
"It’s a great achievement to be singled out as delivering one of the best services in the region.
The standard of applications this year was extremely high, and the judging panel found it hard to select the finalists, let alone the winners."
NHS South East Coast, Chief Executive, Candy Morris, commented:
"In line with our regional vision Healthier people, excellent care - which is about improving quality and innovating to release savings to reinvest in services - the winners had to demonstrate improved quality, innovation, increased efficiency or work to prevent health problems."
