‘Next Generation Nightingales’ recognised for first time

Nursing assistants, maternity support workers, healthcare assistants and nursing associates have, for the first time, been honoured with Guy's and St Thomas' prestigious Nightingale Award for providing exceptional care. 

The unique professional commendation, inspired by Florence Nightingale, celebrates outstanding nursing and midwifery staff. 

This year the Nightingale Award has been presented to 17 nursing assistants, maternity support workers, healthcare assistants and nursing associates.

They were joined by 80 nurses and 5 midwives who were presented with the coveted Nightingale Nurse and Nightingale Midwife award at the annual ceremony.

Winners have the honour of being known as a ‘Nightingale Nurse’, ‘Nightingale Midwife’ and 'Next Generation Nightingale’.

This elite group of professional nursing and midwifery staff has grown in number to 550 since it was first launched at the Trust in 2017. Staff must complete specialist training to receive the honour.

Deborah Ababio, a healthcare assistant at Harefield Hospital, which is part of Guy's and St Thomas', has worked at the Trust for 2 years. She is based on Rowan ward, supporting heart and lung transplant patients. 

Deborah said: "I'm so glad to be part of this first group of assistants receiving the Nightingale Award. It makes me feel proud that our hard work and effort is considered, and that all my education is being recognised.

"This award will serve as a positive reminder of the impact I can make on patients' lives. It inspires me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my work."

Ellen, a specialist midwife who supports parents facing fetal complications in pregnancy, and has worked at the Trust for the 2 years, said: “Our work can be very difficult, very emotive. The conversations we’re having with colleagues and patients can be very hard.

“To be recognised as meeting the promised [Nightingale] pledges is a nice little boost. It signifies that part of being a committed well-rounded healthcare professional is being a reflective practitioner.”

Liz Allibone, Head of Nursing for the Nightingale Academy at Guy's and St Thomas’, said:

"These awards are special. It’s about celebrating the legacy of Florence Nightingale who set up the first school of nursing in the world at St Thomas'. 

"Award winners are give an engraved badge, and they wear it with pride. The badge is designed to celebrate the achievements of the next generation Nightingales who deliver outstanding care to our patients. It gives recipients the confidence to pursue further academic studies, is recognition, and most of all it's that sense of belonging."

The event is funded by The Nightingales Fellowship, a charity for retired Nightingale nurses and midwives who trained at St Thomas' Hospital.