A nurse who has worked at Barnet Hospital for 10 years has won an award after being nominated by her patients for delivering outstanding care.

Angela Wheeler, 47, a colorectal nurse specialist, who works at Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital, was named joint winner of Bowel Cancer UK’s Gary Logue Colorectal Nurse Award.

Angela said her role was all about looking after patients and their families from a bowel cancer diagnosis, right the way through their treatment.

She said: “It’s about being there all the way through the process, it’s a really varied role. I work with the diagnostic team and the oncology team to provide continuity of care. My patients are receiving a significant diagnosis that is devastating news and it’s all about providing holistic care to them.

“Obviously there is a consequence of the treatment in terms of physical health and it’s important to consider a patient’s psychological, social and even financial needs.”

Angela added: “Treating everybody as an individual is key. It’s my job to ease people through the process of getting through the treatment and supporting in whatever way I can. I’m absolutely passionate about my job.”

Angela said the award was incredibly special to her, because patients had taken the time and trouble to nominate her.

“It’s overwhelming and humbling to think people who have so much to cope with have taken the time to do this. It’s such a lovely thing to happen.

“I work with a very good team and couldn’t do my job if I didn’t have such a brilliant group of people around me dedicated to delivering patient-centred care.”

Sarah Stanley, interim nursing director at Barnet Hospital, said: “This is such a fantastic award to have received because it shows the esteem in which Angela is held by her patients and their families. We are so proud of the work that Angela and all the team do in going the extra mile to support patients and their families with bowel cancer.”

Pic: L-R Angela Wheeler, colorectal nurse specialist, is joined by Stuart Chambers, one of Angela's former patients.