Nicola Neale, Macmillan cancer information and support centre manager at Wexham Park Hospital, has been presented with the prestigious Henry Garnett award by Macmillan Cancer Support in recognition of her work.
Nicola has been the driving force behind the success of the centre since it officially opened in October 2012. As well as helping patients, carers and others directly, Nicola has forged many links within the community and is an ambassador for Macmillan. Under her leadership the centre achieved the prestigious Macmillan Quality Environment Mark earlier this year.
Colleaues joined Nicola at an informal presentation at Wexham Park where Macmillan development manager, Helen Petley presented her with her award and explained: “Macmillan present this award to recognise the exceptional contribution that inspirational professionals make beyond their core professional role. This could include work promoting and supporting Macmillan through the media, fundraising, policy development or educating across networks.
“In Nicola’s case she has gone above and beyond her post, engaging with all groups in the community and increasing the number of people helped by Macmillan locally. The number of volunteers working in the information and support centre, as well as the number of donations received, has also increased thanks to her efforts.”
Nicola was delighted to receive the esteemed award and said: “It is fantastic to receive an award in recognition of doing a role I love, and I hope that I will be able to continue to help and support patients, families and colleagues in maintaining high standards of information and support.”
Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Morris also congratulated Nicola for her commitment and energy saying: “Nicola does an excellent job managing the Macmillan information and support centre at Wexham Park. It is a valued and well used resource for our patients living with cancer and their families and friends.”
As well as her work at the hospital Nicola has also co-authored a chapter in a nursing book ‘The nurses approach and communication: foundations for compassionate care’. She also sits as an independent registrant panelist for the nursing regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, on their fitness to practice panels.
Since opening, the centre has provided information and support to over 3,000 service users. In the last 18 months the centre has supported 1,900 visitors/callers and provided outreach support to over 1,000 people.
The Henry Garnett OBE award
This award honours Henry Garnett OBE who was the Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support (or the National Society for Cancer Relief as it was then) for more than 10 years until 1986. During his tenure Macmillan funded the first nurses as innovative palliative care posts.
By the time of his retirement Macmillan had invested £2.5 million to expand the nursing teams throughout the UK and launched an education programme to train doctors, nurses and students in advanced pain control and cancer care.