Clinical project manager Joan Pons Laplana has brought a prestigious award back to the James Paget University Hospital: the British Journal of Nursing’s Nurse of the Year award.
Joan won the award after being nominated by a colleague for his role in encouraging change and promoting patient safety at the hospital, driving the award-winning Kissing Goodbye to Sepsis campaign and working to ensure staff at the hospital have their flu vaccination.
He also hopped 10km on a space hopper to raise funds for the Cavell Nurses’ Trust, to support colleagues in need – and supports his colleagues in his role as a Unison steward.
Joan received his award at a glittering ceremony held in London last week.
He said: “I could not believe it when they read my name out as the winner. It was one of the proudest moments in my life – a dream come true.
“I arrived in the UK from Spain 17 years ago and my journey in nursing has been amazing. I need to say thank you to all the staff at Paget – I couldn’t have won this award without them.”
There was further success for the hospital when Clinical Nurse Specialist Helen Cox was runner up in the Stoma Care Nurse of the Year category.