National Recognition For Darlington Specialist Nurse

Chris Shield, Clinical Nurse Manager at Newbus Grange Autism Service in Darlington, has been shortlisted for Learning Disability Nurse of the Year in the National Learning Disability Awards.

The National Learning Disabilities Awards celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and aim to pay tribute to those individuals or organisations that excel in providing quality care.   The Nurse of the Year Award acknowledges the important role that specialist nurses have in promoting the emotional, psychological and social health of the people who they support.

Chris has worked tirelessly to roll out the Personal PATHS model of care, which supports the people within his service to live their lives in the way they choose.    Chris listens to the hopes and wishes of the service users and ensures that there are enough staff, with the right skills to make these things happen.

The nomination states that ‘he puts the people who use the service and their families first; he is willing to listen and is a good person to talk to.  He is supportive of his staff and their development in order that they can continue to have the skills to deliver good care.’

Chris will attend a judging panel on the 26th March and winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 15th May.

In addition to Chris’s success, Rebecca Hill, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects Lead at the Danshell Group, which operates Newbus Grange Autism Service, is shortlisted for the Breaking Down Barriers award for her work with the family carer forum and service user involvement.

Hazel Southern, Manager at Newbus Grange, said:  “Chris is a very efficient and thorough nurse.  He puts the service user at the forefront of their care and is a keen nurse leader for the nursing team.

“He is a great ambassador for Newbus Grange and thoroughly deserves this recognition.”