Hertfordshire nurse wins national award
Published: 10 June 2009
Hertfordshire's first Parkinson's disease nurse specialist has won a prestigious national award, given by Nursing Standard.
Tracey Smith's innovative work to ensure that patients with Parkinson's disease receive better support has been recognised with the accolade of Parkinson's disease nurse of the year, one of 13 awards presented annually by Nursing Standard.
Tracey, who is based at Danesbury Neurological Centre, School Lane, Welwyn, will receive her award at a special Nursing Standard ceremony, held at the Dorchester Hotel in London on 9 November. At the end of the evening, one of the category winners will be chosen to receive the ultimate accolade of Nursing Standard Nurse of the year 2009.
Congratulating Tracey on her achievement, Nursing Standard editor Jean Gray said: "Now in their 20th year, our awards provide a unique opportunity to highlight and reward excellent practice within the nursing profession."
Since taking up her post in 2006, Tracey's achievements include developing a detailed resource pack crammed with information to help patients with Parkinson's disease, plus a pill timer, which helps patients to receive their vital medication on time.
Sent to every ward at Lister Hospital in Stevenage and the QE2 Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, the pack has been so warmly welcomed by staff, carers and patients that it is set to be rolled out nationally by the Parkinson's Disease Society. Of her work, Tracey says: "You can't always change the outcome for these patients, but you can improve their experiences."