A SENIOR nurse from Wensleydale has been named nurse of the year for going above and beyond the call of duty and delivering exceptional care.

Jill Best is based at Leyburn Health Centre and was nominated in the Sister/Charge Nurse of the Year category in the Nightingale Awards by colleagues and patients.

She was one of 16 staff to receive a special Nightingale award from thousands employed by the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Tricia Hart, chief executive of the trust, said: “It makes me so proud to see and hear our winners making that extra effort to ensure that our patients receive the highest standard of care from such dedicated and professional members of staff. What pleases me also is that I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the care we offer in this trust.”

Beryl Stoker, from Leyburn, whose husband, Geoff, a cancer patient, is cared for by Jill said she had really earned the award.

“She is just wonderful, an absolute treasure, nothing is too much trouble, she really does go above and beyond the call of duty," she said.

"She is marvellous with Geoff, but she also thinks about me as the carer and is always at pains to make sure I am doing OK too.

“Everyone is calling her Florie because the awards are in honour of Florence Nightingale, this really is a prestigious award and no one deserves it more than Jill."