Emma James recognised with prestigious RCN Foundation Impact Award

A cancer care support worker at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) has been honoured with a prestigious RCN Foundation Impact Award, recognising her outstanding contribution to patient care and professional excellence.

Emma James, a colorectal cancer care coordinator at WUTH, received the RCN Foundation LV= Award for outstanding contribution to health and social care by a healthcare support worker. Thanks to an RCN Foundation education grant, Emma was able to pursue a level 3 certificate in counselling skills, significantly advancing her practice and enhancing patient care.

The RCN Foundation education grant is available to healthcare professionals across the UK who apply for support to further their skills and improve patient care.

Emma said: “Receiving this award is an incredible honour. The grant from the RCN Foundation has been life changing, allowing me to develop my expertise and improve care for our patients.

“One of the key things I learned on the course is the importance of listening. It’s quite special for cancer patients to have someone to listen to them and reflect it back, because it helps them to better understand what they’re going through. The skills I’ve learned enable me to build a stronger relationship with the patient, giving them support and reassurance when needed, which helps them to get through their cancer treatment.”

Janelle Holmes, WUTH Chief Executive, said: “I’m so proud of Emma for achieving this qualification, and I’m delighted that she has received the RCN award. She is a fantastic example of our dedicated staff who go the extra mile to provide the best possible patient care.”

Deeps Korea, Director of the RCN Foundation, said: “It is always a privilege to see first-hand the impact an RCN Foundation education grant makes – not only on individuals like our award winners but also on the communities they support. These awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of nurses and midwives who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care.”     

ENDS

Here is the video played on the night of the awards:

Photo: Emma James with her RCN Foundation Award (centre right) with Sarah Watts (LV=), Professor Deborah Sturdy CBE, and Reverend Richard Coles.