24 June 2008
A nurse who specialises in treating patients with rheumatological problems at St Helier Hospital is one of twenty health professionals from across the UK to be recognised for the high standards of support and care she has provided to local people living with rheumatoid arthritis.
Josephine Walmsley, a clinical nurse specialist who treats patients with arthritis and other diseases of the bones and joints, was presented with a Healthcare Champions Award from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) by Theresa May MP, NRAS Patron and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.
The ceremony was recently hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Inflammatory Arthritis at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
Josephine was nominated for the award by Philippa Jones, a patient from Carshalton Beeches, in recognition of the care and support she has given Philippa over the past 12 years.
Josephine said: "Whilst I am very pleased to be recognised for this award, I do feel this has been a huge team effort and I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues for their support. We strive to ensure the highest standard of patient care is delivered to all our patients."
Philippa, who has had arthritis since she was a child, said: "This award is in recognition of the excellent care and support Josephine has given me over the years. Whatever I have encountered living with rheumatoid arthritis, she has been there for me and has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help me live with this difficult disease.
"I work for a national charity, Arthritis Care, and have heard about Josephine from a number of other people with arthritis - all of them had nothing but praise for her work."
MP for Carshalton and Wallington Tom Brake was also at the event. He said: "It was a great pleasure to be able to congratulate Josephine on the occasion of her award as a Health Care Champion. When she described her daily workload to me, it was obvious why she was nominated. She is clearly totally dedicated to helping her patients."
The Rheumatology department treats around 500 patients, all with rheumatoid arthritis, each year. It employs two consultants, a clinical nurse specialist, a registrar and two secretaries.
