A BARNARD Castle health care assistant has been named the region’s Unsung Hero of the Year at the General Practice Nursing’s Angels of the North Awards.
Vicky Bourne was the only health care assistant to be nominated in the Unsung Hero Patient’s Choice Award category, which was dominated by practice nurses.
The award was made last week at Ramside Hall, Durham.
She was nominated by Barnard Castle Surgery’s senior advanced nurse practitioner Ruth Williams.
Ms Williams said: “There is a category for health care assistants but Vicky goes above and beyond that.
“The Unsung Hero recognises a person who works diligently, consistently features positively in patient feedback, for whom no job is too much trouble and ensures the patient voice is heard and championed – that basically describes Vicky.
“We get a lot of feedback from patients.
“One letter we submitted with the nomination was from a patient who said she had saved his life,” she added.
“He was in a dark place and she turned his life around.”
Ms Bourne attributed the award to everyone at the GP surgery.
She said: “I am really proud to be part of this team – we all get along well together.
“The GPs are excellent and really helpful and the nursing team here are excellent.”
