Community comes first as Exeter NHS worker shortlisted for award

An NHS communications and community relations manager from Exeter has been recognised by the NHS Leadership Academy for the way he reaches out to involve local communities in decisions about healthcare.

Nick Pearson has been shortlisted for a prestigious ‘emerging leader of the year award’.

The award recognises NHS staff who have gone above and beyond in their role to make a difference to the way patients are cared for.

Nick’s role is to involve people in decisions about healthcare.

He said: “I always strive to put patients and those that use NHS services at the centre of everything we do, then making sure we get it right for people.”

Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG), which buys and develops most healthcare services for people in Devon,* has been shortlisted for three South West NHS Leadership Academy awards in total.

The CCG’s deputy chief nurse Lorna Collingwood-Burke is in the running for the NHS Partnership/System Leader of the Year and Sally Parker, the CCG’s community relations manager, has been shortlisted for NHS Community Leader of the Year.

NEW Devon CCG’s chief officer, Rebecca Harriott, said she was delighted that staff at the CCG had been shortlisted for the awards.

“I’m very proud that our staff have been nominated as it shows how they are striving to make sure our patients have the best possible experience when using local healthcare services.

“One of the main objectives of the CCG is to listen to people and take action on what they say about services, and Sally’s nomination in particular shows how well we are doing this.”

The south west regional awards ceremony, where the winners will be revealed, is being held on Friday, November 22.

*NEW Devon CCG commissions healthcare for the whole of Devon, excluding South Devon and Torbay.