NURSING auxilliary Patricia Hanlon has been honoured with an award for her caring work.

She has been given the Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Mental Health Liaison team's first Pride of Mental Health award.

The award, a crossover between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, is designed to highlight excellence in the field of mental health support and care.

Patricia, who works on the Jupiter ward at the Great Western Hospital, scooped the prize for her exceptional work adhering to AWP’s core PRIDE values, which stands for passion, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence.

She also acts as a dementia champion for the ward with the awards coinciding with national Dementia Awareness Week.

The new award, presented by the AWP Mental Health Liaison Team to a member of GWH staff, recognises exceptional work with patients who have both physical and mental health support needs.

Each quarter the team will nominate another Pride of Mental Health winner with teams and individuals eligible for a prize.

Dr Leanne Hayward, consultant liaison psychiatrist, presented the award to Patricia and said the exceptional nurse had no idea she was going to an awards ceremony.

“It’s funny because when Patricia was called down for her presentation she said she thought her team hit all of the objectives so she was shocked when she won the individual award,” she said.

But Dr Hayward said Patricia’s dedication to her patients was particularly highlighted.

"Patricia sets a shining example," she said.

"She goes the extra mile to support patients with dementia and physical health problems, works tirelessly as Dementia Champion to provide the best possible care for all her patients, and supports staff, patients and carers alike.

"She is a credit to GWH, and Jupiter ward particularly, and we are delighted that she was the first winner of this new prestigious award."

Patricia received a certificate and a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher.

The award is part of the wider 'purple star' quality improvement initiative with the symbol adopted by AWP’s Mental Health Liaison Team and worn by members of the team to identify themselves within GWH.

Dr Hayward added: "The purple star concept was designed with the intention to promote awareness and improve parity of esteem for those with physical and mental health conditions in the general hospital.

"With one in four people experiencing mental health problems at some point in their lives, we hope that it will become a recognised brand within the hospital to improve patient care, to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health problems."