Oncology nurse shortlisted in BJN Awards
12 February 2020
A dedicated nurse at Dorset County Hospital has been shortlisted as a finalist in the British Journal of Nursing (BJN) Awards.
Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Hilary Maxwell has been shortlisted for Oncology Nurse of the Year.
The BJN Awards are a showcase of nursing excellence, highlighting the critical contribution that nurses make to healthcare.
With a nursing career spanning 13 years, Hilary is passionate about improving the lives of women with gynaecological cancers.
In 2015, she co-founded GO Girls to ensure all women and their families receive support at every step of their journey.
GO Girls is a national supporting women with gynaecological cancers, raising awareness of these diseases and campaigning for earlier diagnosis and improved treatments.
Hilary said: “With frequent hard-hitting treatments and unpredictable futures, the psychological impact on these women and their caregivers is understandably substantial. And that’s where GO Girls comes in.
“There is such a huge need for the additional support GO Girls can provide to these women. Ongoing support is paramount for them throughout their whole cancer journey.
“I am proud of the difference we are making to women and the future of these women.
“It is vital we continue to raise awareness of the key symptoms of gynaecological cancers to encourage women to be more body aware and to act early with any changes.”
Hilary’s personal experience of losing a partner to cancer has only driven her passion for her job further and is what Hilary believes has made her more ‘patient centric’.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Consultant at Dorset County Hospital, and colleague of Hilary, Andrew Mukherjee said: “Hilary goes above and beyond for our patients and always has the patients’ wellbeing at heart.
“Hilary is a dedicated and hardworking individual and is always thinking from the patient’s point of view. She is the glue that binds the service together and we would be lost without her.
“We are really proud of her being shortlisted for this award and we will all have our fingers crossed for her on the awards evening.”
The awards ceremony will be taking place on Friday 20 March at Shakespeare’s Underglobe in London.
For more information about the awards visit www.bjnawards.co.uk, or for the GO Girls visit www.gogirlssupport.org
