BOLTON nurse Jean Cummings is helping more Bolton people benefit from cataract surgery -- and she has won an award to prove it.

Jean, of Water's Edge, Farnworth, has won through to the finals of a prestigious national nursing competition.

The Royal Bolton Hospital worker will appear at a glittering prize giving ceremony in London in October.

Now working in the eye unit at the Minerva Road hospital, Jean has been highly commended for setting up a referral system for patients see community eye experts.

She has also been praised for setting up new nursing teams which serve individual consultants.

Patients are now assessed for "fast-track" surgery and the teams deliver more holistic care, managing patients from beginning to end.

The new system has "significantly increased" the numbers of people being treated for cataracts in Bolton.

The Nursing Standard Nurse 2001 Awards, set up 14 years ago, attracted hundreds of entrants nationwide.

They have been set up to recognise the efforts of ordinary nurses who improve standards of patient care.

The Royal Bolton Hospital is delighted at the achievement of one of their top nurses.

A spokesman said: "We wish Jean luck in the finals." PRIZE WINNER: Royal Bolton Hospital's Jean Cummings