Nurse Consultant Lin Wins Again

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Children's champion named Nurse of the Year

Lin Graham-Ray, Hammersmith and Fulham’s Designated Nurse Consultant for Looked-After Children has been named Nurse of the Year 2009 in the Nursing Standard Awards.

In August Lin was named Child Health Nurse of the Year, one of the 13 categories in the awards. Then at a ceremony held on Monday November 9 at the Dorchester hotel, she was also chosen to win the ultimate accolade of Nurse of the Year 2009.

Lin has created a number of pioneering initiatives to help looked after children in Hammersmith and Fulham, including the creation of individual plans that encompass their wider health and happiness, including encouraging their hobbies - whether that’s reading the latest Harry Potter novel or learning baton twirling.

" In the past, health reports may have simply recommended eye tests or immunisations," she says. " But I want people to do whatever they can to help these children achieve optimum health - not just tick the box that they’ve been to the dentist."

Lin is the first to admit her role is demanding. " This type of work has a huge emotional impact on everybody. I struggle to deal with neglect and sexual abuse," she says. " But I’ve always said that the day I stop being affected is the day I stop doing this.

" What sums it up for me is when a child says, I’ve had so many social workers, but the most consistent person in my life has been my nurse. It’s about sticking around for the journey."

Lin says her nomination in the awards was a complete surprise. " One of my colleagues nominated me anonymously so I really had no idea," she says. " The first I heard about it was when I got an email saying that that I’d been shortlisted for the child health award. I was really delighted when the organisers sent me an email saying that I won. "

On Monday, actress Claire Sweeney presented Lin with the Nurse of the Year certificate and and a prize of £2,000.

November 10, 2009