A NURSE from Worcestershire’s acute hospitals has received national recognition for the outstanding care she is giving to patients with bowel cancer.
Bernice Kent was awarded with the Gary Logue Colorectal Nurse Award at the National Colorectal Cancer Nurses Network conference, run by charity Beating Bowel Cancer.
The colorectal clinical nurse specialist in Worcestershire’s three acute hospitals – the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch; Kidderminster Treatment Centre and Worcestershire Royal Hospital – and received the award after a nomination from a patient she had supported in her journey to recovery.
Bernice’s nomination described the fantastic support, encouragement, professionalism and dedication she gave to all her patients.
The special award aims to recognise nurses who make a big difference to the lives of their bowel cancer patients.
Bernice said: “As a colorectal clinical nurse specialist helping patients through their bowel cancer diagnosis and the trials that comes with this is not always easy, but the people I am fortunate enough to meet inspire and surprise me in so many ways.
“The nominations I have received have really touched me from the bottom of my heart, what an honour and privilege to know I have been able to make people feel safe and supported in some way when they are going through such a devastating and life-changing period.”
Sue Rogers, the patient who nominated Bernice, said: “Bernice makes me feel safe, and for anyone that has cancer and is going through treatment, this is the most valuable feeling to have. Bernice empowered me to be as positive as I could on my journey to recovery.”
Nearly 41,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year, with someone dying of the disease every half an hour. However, if caught in its early stages, 90 per cent of patients can be successfully treated.
Around 95 per cent of bowel cancer cases occur in people over 50, but it can affect anyone of any age.
To further support patients with Bowel Cancer, Bernice has decided to run the London Marathon next year raising money for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer.
