The Sue Pembrey Award 2016
The winner: Wendy Newnham
In 2016, the Sue Pembrey Award was won by Wendy Newnham, Lead for Surrey Community Nursing Services, Virgin Care. Wendy was one of three exceptional clinical leaders shortlisted for the award. The judges said:
Wendy is an impressive nominee; her leadership is clearly valued by the staff… she has a strong person-centred, innovative and empowering leadership style, which has brought about a transformation in the service and the staff who provide it
Matthew Hodson, Virgin Care’s Chief Nurse, said:
Wendy has demonstrated her leadership skills clearly, focussing on her team and colleagues to create a person-centred environment and inspiring her colleagues to provide the best care. This nomination came directly from Wendy’s team and shows just how much her leadership style has impressed her colleagues.
The award was presented at the Enhancing Practice Conference on 1st September 2016, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Wendy said:
Winning the Sue Pembrey award 2016 meant a great deal to me, both at a personal and at a professional level – particularly as I had no idea that I had been nominated!
After winning the Sue Pembrey award I applied for a place on the RCN District Nursing Steering Group Forum, this is something that I had considered for several years but had not previously had the confidence to do. Being successful in a gaining a place on the District Nursing forum has opened up new opportunities, including attending a national round table event with nursing leaders from the 4 countries meeting to discuss and drive forward District Nursing for the future.
I also attended the RCN congress this year as member of the District Nursing forum which has increased my understanding of how policies and strategies are developed and to learn about new innovations and other services.
Winning the award has also increased my profile within my organisation and I have recently taken on a new role which, I love.
At the Sue Pembrey award ceremony in Edinburgh last August, I was inspired by all the interesting people I met from different countries.
I would encourage nurses to put forward colleagues for the Sue Pembrey award as being nominated for a leadership award by your own team, manager and chief nurse is in itself, heart-warming and motivating and means an awful lot.