A NURSE working in Hexham has been named the nation’s rising star.

Emily Pitkethly, who works in the elderly assessment and ambulatory care unit at Hexham General Hospital, was awarded the Rising Star award at this year’s national Nursing Times Awards.

Emily, of Corbridge, was praised by judges for her ‘outstanding work helping more elderly people to receive their care closer to home.’ The panel went on to say it was impressed by her commitment to high quality patient care and said she would be a ‘real pleasure to have as part of any workforce.’

“It’s such a big shock and surprise to win this award,’ said Emily. “I am unbelievably proud and would like to thank my colleagues for all the support they’ve given me, and the NHS Trust for the opportunities.

“It makes such a difference to elderly people and their families to be able to have as much care as possible locally.

“I’m focusing now on finishing my Masters degree specialising in elderly care and further progressing my career so I can continue to make this happen for as many patients as I can in the Hexham area.”

Emily qualified as a nurse in March 2014 and she has further developed her skills at Hexham.

She started her career in the hospital’s urgent care centre before moving on to work in the elderly assessment and ambulatory care unit which assesses and treats older people with complex care needs. She has trained to be a nurse practitioner and non-medical prescriber, and now leads the unit’s nursing team.

Executive director of nursing and midwifery at Northumbria Healthcare, Ellie Monkhouse, praised Emily’s commitment and her rapid progression in nursing.

The Rising Star award will sit next to the NHS Trust Student Nurse of the Year Award she won four years ago, which was presented because of her ‘knowledge, confidence and professionalism.’