A DEDICATED Bolton nurse has been recognised for her contribution to the profession with a prestigious award.

Martina Kingscott, assistant director of nursing at the Royal Bolton Hospital was surprised by being handed the Cavell Nurses Trust award for her services to nursing.

The awards are given are to nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who show exceptional care to their colleagues, patients and their families.

Martina was nominated for her work to improve the experience of care for patients and their families.

Passionate about her work, Martina involved in areas such as risk reduction, improvement and better care experiences in the teams she supports.

These include the Adult and Child Safeguarding Team, Tissue Viability Service, Falls Prevention Service, Enhanced Care Team, Learning Disability Nurse Service and Admiral Nurse Dementia support service.

The well-deserved award was presented to Martina by Marie Forshaw, interim director of nursing at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.

She said: "An experienced and compassionate nurse, she embodies what a nurse should be.

“She is also a kind, caring and supportive colleague, and always tries to lift others into the spotlight to be recognised.”

Edith Cavell was a British nurse during the First World War who save the lives of soldiers from both sides of the conflict and helped more than 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium before being arrested and shot by a German firing squad.

The Cavell Nurses Trust was set up in her honour to celebrate nursing.