A staff nurse on the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) at the Orthopaedic Hospital is the latest winner of the Health Hero Award.

Hayley Thurston, who works on Gladstone Ward within MCSI at the Oswestry-based hospital, was nominated by Becky Warren, MCSI ward manager.

Becky said: “Hayley deserves to be recognised for her passion, commitment and dedication to all spinal cord injury patients and for the never ending support she gives everyone.

“Recently, in her spare time, Hayley has developed an outstanding care plan that ensures patient safety which is more time-efficient for staff.”

A few weeks ago, the MCSI team held a Bladder-a-Thon week which involved tackling the backlog of cystoscopy patients.

A cystoscopy is a procedure which involves looking inside the bladder using a thin camera to check and treat problems in the bladder.

Becky added: “During Bladder-a-Thon week, Hayley has impressed me so much with his care and compassion.

“She, along with other colleagues from across the hospital, ensured the week was a success and without her commitment, this would not have been possible.

“Hayley has made me very proud this week, as she does every week. We’re very lucky to have Hayley has part of team MCSI.”

Hayley said: “I feel completely honoured and touched to not only be nominated for a Health Hero Award but to actually be the winner this month.

“It feels wonderful to be recognised for doing the job I love. Our patients are absolutely amazing, as are my colleagues. I’d like to say a big thank you to Becky for nominating me.”

Like previous Health Hero winners, Hayley received a special badge and certificate for her achievement but this month, she also received a box of fresh fruit and vegetables from Box of Goodness, who have a stall in the main entrance of the hospital four times a week.

The firm have pledged to donate a box to the Trust to go to the monthly Health Hero winner.

Mark Brandreth, chief executive, who presented Hayley with her certificate, badge and prize, said: “A big congratulations to Hayley, this month’s Health Hero Award winner. Her dedication to her patients absolutely shines through, that was apparent by her reaction to being told she was this month’s Health Hero winner. She was truly stunned because she believes she’s just doing her job, when actually she goes above and beyond.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to her for all her work during the Bladder-a-Thon week. She worked extremely hard and for that she deserves the title of September’s Health Hero.”