Exceptional nurses and midwives recognised at Mary Seacole Awards

Published: 17 October 2012

Six nurses, midwives and health visitors have been recognised for their contribution to black and ethnic minority (BME) communities at the Mary Seacole Leadership and Development Awards ceremony.

The prestigious awards provide winners with the opportunity to undertake a year-long project to benefit the health needs of people from BME communities. There are two award programmes: the Mary Seacole Leadership Awards, which provide funding of up to £12,500 and the Mary Seacole Development Awards, which provide funding of up to £6,250.  

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary, said: “During challenging times it is more important than ever to strive for excellence, which is what Mary Seacole did during her work in the Crimean War, and these winners provide a great example for all nurses to follow.”

The awards were established in 1994 in honour of Mary Seacole, to mark her significant contribution to nursing in the 19th century. The RCN works in partnership with the Department of Health, NHS Employers, Unison, the Royal College of Midwives and Unite to jointly fund the awards programme.  

Mary Seacole Leadership Awards 2012/2013

• Dr Gloria Likupe, Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull.
  Project:  Developing a communication model for ethnic minority elders and health care workers. 
• Fiona McGregor, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Nurse/ Honorary Research Associate for Women’s Health, UCL, Central and North West London Foundation Trust.
  Project: Developing a policy based on NICE to improve sexual health outcomes for vulnerable under 18 year old BME groups in a community reproductive sexual health service. 

Mary Seacole Development Awards 2012/2013

• Desiree Campbell-Richards, Diabetes Research Nurse, Barts Health NHS Trust, London
  Project: An exploration of factors influencing diabetes outpatient attendance amongst Bengali, Pakistani and African patients in an Inner London Borough.
• Kelly Hylton, Gateway Worker (Registered Mental Nurse), Six Degrees Social Enterprise CIC, Salford.
  Project: Improving clinical engagement and outcomes for BME communities experiencing common mental health problems in primary care using an approach called take control.
• Anita John, Practice Development Matron, Head and Neck Directorate, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
  Project:  Understand the barriers and incentives to diabetic retinopathy screening among south Asian population in Nottinghamshire.
• Olwyn Lidster, Community Psychiatric Nurse – Substance Misuse Services, Bradford District Care Trust.
  Project: Improving health outcomes for Gypsy and Traveller communities.