Nurse Angela, she’s my angel (From This Is Lancashire)

Nurse Angela, she’s my angel

11:16am Thursday 6th March 2008 in

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A GRATEFUL heart patient has thanked the nurse who helped get his life back on track - by nominating her for a national award.

Bill Garraty, 70, of Clayton-le-Moors, wanted to thank Angela Graves and East Lancashire Primary Care Trust's heart surgery recovery team for what they have done for him in the last three years.

So he nominated her for the Nursing Standard's Star Award to show his gratitude.

Angela, 53, of Oakdale, Blackburn, works at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Hospitals providing support and assistance for patients of all ages who are recovering from heart problems.

Nursing Standard is one of the leading journals covering the profession. The awards - in the first year - celebrate the incredible achievement and the unrelenting contribution to improving patient care demonstrated by nurses and healthcare professionals.

And even though she didn't make the awards shortlist, Angela was delighted by Bill's gesture.

In his nomination, he said: "I can't express the gratitude I feel for the input in my care of Angela and her team.

"Her warmth, professionalism and above all her experience has enabled me to deal with the many factors that me and my family have incurred along the way.

"I always feel able to phone them or request a visit and the team's genuine interest in how things are going makes me feel worthwhile."

Mother-of-three and grandmother of two Mrs Graves has been a cardiac nurse for 20 years and her team of three people has 400 patients across East Lancashire and holds nine clinics a week.

She said: "Being nominated by a patient is particularly special. The patients are what makes the job worthwhile - that's what it's all about.

"We try to be there for every patient so that they have someone who understands what they are going through and is able to answer the phone if there is a problem.

"Some of the medication that people receive after heart surgery or a heart attack is very complicated and we can be there to help people understand what they need to do and also the lifestyle changes that they need to make for health in the future.

"It was lovely that Bill nominated me because I have known him for a long time and part of this job is that it helps you become good friends with the patients you serve."