A matron who has worked at Epsom and St Helier hospitals for 26-years has been crowned nurse of the year by the trust.

Maria Paterson, matron for speciality medicine, was presented with the award at a ceremony on May 12 as part of a celebration to mark international nurses’ day, coinciding with the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

She said: “For me, nursing is all about getting the basics absolutely right. “It’s about making sure every patient is safe, well cared-for, well nourished, and understands their care.

“I always try to make sure I speak to other people as I’d like to be spoken to, that I treat patients as if they were a member of my family, and that I lead by example.”

Presenting the award, Epsom and St Helier chief executive, Matthew Hopkins, who spent 15 years in nursing before entering management, said: “Maria is a long-serving, dedicated and committed matron, who is well-known and respected by her colleagues. “I am very proud of the exceptional contribution she makes to constantly improving the care given to our patients.”

The award for nursing support worker of the year was given to 12 healthcare assistants on ward B5 at St Helier, dedicated to care of the elderly.

Pippa Hart, director of nursing at Epsom and St Helier, said: “I am exceptionally proud of all of our nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who work so hard to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.”

Runner-up for nurse of the year was Tracy Weekes, a junior sister at Sutton Hospital and the runner-up for nursing support worker of the year was Fiona Herbert, healthcare assistant on the neonatal unit at St Helier.