Sheffield blood nurse Cathy Harrison named UK's best

Yorkshire blood nurse named UK's best A haemophilia nurse from South Yorkshire has been named the best in the country.

Cathy Harrison, an advanced nurse practitioner at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, was given the UK Nurse of the Year Award following her work treating patients with bleeding disorders.

The award, from the Nursing Times, recognised Ms Harrison's "transformational change to the care of patients across the world", according to the NHS trust she works for.

Ms Harrison, whose work in the NHS has included raising the profile of chronic but little-known disorders, said it was "amazing" her efforts had been recognised.

The judging panel praised Ms Harrison as "an excellent role model of professionalism, tenacity and passion, consistently going above and beyond expectations".

Ms Harrison had served the blood and bleeding disorder community for nearly two decades, according to Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Her work had included "comprehensive care to a range of adults with inherited bleeding disorders", a spokesperson said.

"Her dedication to her patients is ceaseless, and she has worked with patient organisations to support understanding and raise awareness of the conditions.

"She has also worked with the global bleeding disorders community within her role with the World Federation of Hemophilia, to share knowledge and experience with clinicians in the developing world."

Ms Harrison had also developed a national education course for nurses and health workers, the spokesperson added.

'Cheery manner' Ms Harrison said: "It was amazing to win this award and for the recognition of the work within these rare diseases.

"It was fabulous to see the fantastic things that nurses are doing across the country, just a reflection of what is going on every day in nursing practice globally."

Patient Dave Gort said Ms Harrison was a "deserving Nurse of the Year winner" as her calm and quick-thinking demeanour "literally saved" his life after an emergency situation where he lost pints and pints of blood.

"Haemophilia affects me by taking much longer than usual for my blood to clot," Mr Gort explained.

"Alongside her vast clinical knowledge, everything she does is undertaken with care and compassion, a cheery manner, and most importantly, a sense of humour."

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