Matron at Florence Nightingale Hospice, Liz Monaghan, Named Best Nurse in National Awards

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We’re delighted that Liz Monaghan, matron at the Florence Nightingale Hospice at Stoke Mandeville hospital, has been named ‘Best Nurse’ in The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards!

Liz attended a special ceremony in London yesterday evening.

Liz was nominated by Elaine Trump – a member of our Patient Experience Group – for the award for her dedication to the Purple Rose initiative which aims to improve the care for patients in the last days of their life.

Liz used her own money to fund parts of the scheme, which includes supplying a special purple rose that can be placed on the door or curtain to allow families privacy. Purple Rose ‘kits’ are supplied to wards across the Trust and are funded by the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.

We are so proud of Liz and so very fortunate to have such an amazing colleague.

The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards celebrate staff who go beyond the call of duty to care for patients and make the NHS the treasure it is.

The judging panel was made up of TV doctor and NHS GP Dr Dawn Harper, Professor Chris Moran, the National Clinical Director for Trauma in England, and Chief Midwifery Officer for England, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent.

The Sun received a record number of nominations from readers keen to thank their health heroes.

Liz and Elaine appeared in an 8-page pull out in The Sun on Tuesday 8 October, you can read more here: https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/10088140/who-cares-wins-awards-2019-nominees/

Liz featured live on The Chris Evans Breakfast show on Virgin Radio this morning (Wednesday 9 October) to talk about what winning the award means to her and the Purple Rose initiative.

Liz said: “I lead an amazing team.

“It’s [the Purple Rose] a symbol to let others know that the people around the patient are with someone at the end of their life, sharing important moments and to be mindful of that.”

Jo Turner, CEO of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, said: “We are delighted that Liz’s initiative has been recognised by this award.

“The Charity and the Hospice are focused on providing a special kind of care and support for those at the end of their lives, and their families. Liz has enabled that care to reach outside the Hospice by using the symbol of the Purple Rose to alert ward staff to their special circumstances.”