Nicola Bland Is Named Dettol Community Nurse of the Year

Nicola Bland, a district nurse from Upminster, Essex, has been named Dettol Community Nurse of the Year 2005. Nicola was nominated by fellow nurse Bernadine Wrobel for her commitment to nursing and dedicated approach to creating a local phlebotomy service, which will truly benefit the local community. This essential service allows elderly and less mobile patients to have blood tests without the difficulty of accessing the hospital based service.

Nicola is efficient, conscientious and a great role model for her peers. Bernadine describes her as “a fantastic nurse and great advocate for elderly and less mobile patients” whose dedication and determination has led to positive effects on the whole community.

Nicola has been rewarded for her ‘can do’ attitude, dedication to her profession and for delivering complete nursing care. The team of judges, were impressed not only by the way she treats her patients’ ailments, but also by her support to the community - continually identifying and filling gaps in the service elderly and less mobile patients receive. In addition to all this, as team leader, Nicola uses her enduring positive attitude and bubbly personality to reassure and support her colleagues on a daily basis.

The judges commented particularly on Nicola’s dedication to elderly and less mobile patients who can sometimes be overlooked. They were also touched by her hard work and commitment to improving services which are offered to them in spite of her already busy workload.

Nicola, who was presented with her prize on Monday 24th October, exclaimed: “I cannot believe I have won. What an honour to win for just doing a job which I love – I am still in shock!”

Nicola was presented with a trophy, a £1,000 professional bursary, a European break for two, flowers and champagne. In addition, she received a £500 cheque to donate to a charity of her choice. And as a thank you for sharing her story about Nicola, Bernadine Wrobel will also be sent on a relaxing spa break.