Substance misuse nurse wins RCN in Wales Nurse of the Year

Published: 29 November 2012

Louise Poley, a consultant nurse for substance misuse, has won the inaugural RCN in Wales Nurse of the Year Award.

Louise, mental health and learning disabilities award category winner, has undertaken significant work with the homeless and led a multi-agency project to offer services to this population within their own environment. She ensures they receive professional, evidenced-based and timely care within the health system. The judging panel described Louise as a “champion” and said she goes over and above her role to help “the forgotten population”.

RCN Wales Director Tina Donnelly said: “Louise is committed to making a direct difference for this marginalised group. Despite continuing challenges such as financial restraints and increased demand for services, I am especially proud of the nursing family for continuing to deliver excellent services and making innovations to improve patient care for the residents of Wales.

“These awards demonstrate that turning to nurses is indeed the solution to many challenges. Nursing is about leadership and it is about caring. The two should be inseparable. If we do not care then we are not nursing and we must as nurses lead the way in ensuring caring is at the heart of what we do.”

Lisa Franklin, a professional and practice development nurse, was named runner-up in the awards ceremony which took place in Cardiff last night.