Two nurses from Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust have been recognised with national Chief Nursing Officer Silver Awards for their outstanding contribution to nursing, patient care and education.
Janet Thompson, Corporate Matron, and Yvonne Tamburro, Lead Nurse for Practice Education, have both received the award, which recognises nurses who go above and beyond in their roles and make a lasting difference to patients, colleagues and the nursing profession.
Janet has worked in nursing for 36 years and has held a wide range of roles across the NHS. Her career has included frontline nursing in neuro-intensive care, cardiology, emergency care, infection prevention and control, practice development, older people’s services and senior nursing leadership.
At Gateshead Health, Janet has supported quality improvement across a number of areas, including infection prevention, falls prevention, pressure damage prevention and professional nursing practice. She now works part time in a corporate nursing support role and is the Trust’s strategic lead for falls, as well as Professional Nurse Advocate lead for the organisation.
Janet said: “I’m genuinely honoured to receive this award. Nursing has been such a huge part of my life and I’ve been lucky to work with so many brilliant colleagues over the years.
“For me, it has always been about doing the basics well, supporting patients and families and helping colleagues feel confident in the care they provide. To be recognised in this way is very special.”
Yvonne has worked in nursing for 40 years and held a wide range of roles across the NHS including frontline nursing as a sister in gynae-oncology, practice development and a surgical matron and has played a key role in supporting practice education across Gateshead Health. As Lead Nurse for Practice Education, she has helped strengthen student support, placement experience and professional development across nursing, midwifery and allied health professional teams.
She has also worked closely with local universities and colleagues across the Trust to support future nurses, including through student placement development, aspirant nurse support and new models of coaching and learning in practice.
Yvonne said: “I’m really proud to receive this award. Supporting students and colleagues to grow in confidence is something I care deeply about.
“Seeing people develop, qualify and go on to build their own careers in nursing is incredibly rewarding. This award means a lot and I feel very lucky to work with such committed colleagues.”
Beth Swanson, interim chief nurse at Gateshead Health, said: “Janet and Yvonne are both fantastic examples of what nursing is about. They have given so much to patients, colleagues and the profession over many years and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.
“They are both respected, experienced and compassionate leaders who continue to make a real difference across the Trust. We are very proud of them.”
The Chief Nursing Officer Silver Award recognises major contributions to nursing practice and is awarded to nurses who demonstrate exceptional commitment, leadership and impact.