A NURSE has won a national award for all her hard work in treating skin conditions.

Zahira Koreja, an advanced nurse practitioner at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, has won the ‘Psoriasis Nurse of the Year’ 2017 award.

The prize was presented to her in front of more than 200 other nursing professionals at the British Dermatological Nursing Group’s (BDNG) Annual Conference in Belfast.

She received a bespoke trophy, created by a graffiti artist, depicting the support given by nurses to people with psoriasis.

Ms Koreja said: “I was honoured to receive the award for psoriasis Nurse of the year.

“Being involved with psoriatic patients is part of my role as an advanced nurse practitioner that I thoroughly enjoy and feel passionate about.

“It is important to empower patients by giving them the tools needed to manage their long term condition and support them through their journey.

“Receiving this award is a privilege not just for myself but is a reflection of the dedication of the whole of the East Lancashire NHS Dermatology Department.”

She was nominated by her patients and stood out to the judges thanks to her ‘dedication, compassion, and support’ she provided to her patients.

Patient Hudson Parsons, who nominated the Blackburn-based nurse for the award, has suffered with psoriasis for 20 years.

She said: “Zahira has been instrumental in helping me finally live a normal life by keeping my psoriasis under control.”