AN Airedale nurse who enabled cancer patients to access a life prolonging drug has won a top accolade.

Amy Dugdale ensured her ovarian cancer patients had access to a new drug that could give them extra months of life. She was announced winner of the Macmillan Cancer Support- sponsored Cancer Nursing category of the RCNi Nurse Awards 2019 at a glittering ceremony recent, an awards that attracted almost 700 entries this year.

A Macmillan gynaecology clinical nurse specialist, Amy recognised her patients with ovarian cancer could access a life-prolonging drug if they underwent the genetic screening that would make them eligible to receive it.

Referrals to genetic centres could take time so Amy implemented her nurse-led BRCA testing service, ensuring that she was trained and able to inform and counsel patients appropriately, changing the disease course for a large number of women under the trust’s care.

She was nominated for the award by colleague and consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Sumita Bhuiya.

Ms Dugdale said: “I was flabbergasted that my consultant had put me forward, so to win such a prestigious award is such an honour. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that something I thought of is having an impact on patient care and that this has been seen by my profession as worthy of recognition. It’s my wish that what see what I do happening in every hospital in the country.

Miss Bhuiya added: “We are immensely proud of Amy and what she has done for her patients. I nominated her because of her absolute dedication to getting the best possible treatment for the women in her care, the award could not be more well deserved.”

Chief nursing officer of Macmillan Cancer Support Karen Roberts said: “Amy showed incredible tenacity and compassion in identifying a patient group that would benefit from life extending treatment, and extending her role and skills so that they could be BRCA tested in a timely manner and access these drugs. More importantly, she supported these women through from the initial difficult conversation to consent and counselling following the results and implications.”

RCNi managing director Rachel Armitage said: “Nurses in all areas are increasingly under pressure but they still deliver exceptional innovation and outstanding, compassionate patient care day in, day out.

“The Awards are a chance to recognise the achievements of nurses like Amy and showcase nursing excellence.”