Nurse at Burnley General Hospital's NICU wins East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's first Star of Month award

A neonatal nurse, who helped support the family of a premature baby during a lengthy stay in hospital, has been recognised for her dedication and care.

Valerie Tomlinson is the first winner of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's Star of the Month award.

A nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Burnley General Hospital, Valerie received the award at a special ceremony after a vote saw more than 1,400 people cast their votes.

Valerie said: "I'm really honoured to receive this award and completely surprised to have been nominated.

"Looking after babies and supporting their families is a privilege. I just try to treat every baby as if they were my own and give them the same care, love and attention that I would want for my own family.

"This recognition means a lot, but it's also a reflection of the fantastic team I work alongside every day in NICU."

Valerie was nominated by Chloe Dawson, mum of Tommy, who was born at just 25 weeks and three days on April 2 this year, weighing only 1lb 12oz.

Tommy spent 133 days in NICU, during which time Valerie became a familiar source of support and reassurance for the whole family.

In the nomination, Chloe described Valerie as "vibrant, kind and someone who warms up any room she's in", praising her for the compassionate care and reassurance she provided throughout Tommy's many weeks in NICU.

She said Valerie always greeted them with a welcoming smile, regularly checked on their wellbeing and took a genuine interest in Tommy's brothers, Jacob and Henry.

Tommy's mum said her positivity made a huge difference during difficult days and that she cared for Tommy "how you'd love and care for your own children".

She added: "Valerie's compassion, kindness and dedication helped make an incredibly challenging journey easier for our whole family. We will always be grateful for the care she gave Tommy and the support she showed us."

Trust Chief Executive, Martin Hodgson,, said: "Technical skill and clinical excellence matter enormously, but what families often remember most is how somebody made them feel. “Valerie's compassion, positivity and unwavering support left a lasting impact at a moment when it was needed most. Colleagues within NICU tell me that many families remember Valerie by name long after they have left our care, perhaps the greatest compliment any healthcare professional can receive.

“It was clear why Valerie’s nomination resonated so strongly despite an exceptionally strong field. She represents the very best of healthcare and, indeed, the very best of ELHT.”

The Star of the Month award recognises colleagues who go above and beyond in demonstrating the trust's values and making a positive difference to patients, families and fellow staff members.