A DEPUTY sister at Basingstoke hospital has been honoured in a national awards ceremony that recognises the work of inspirational individuals and innovative organisations.

Nicola Flecknell, who works within Hampshire Hospitals acute paediatric services, was selected from over 34,000 WOW! Awards nomination entries, taking home the Inspirational Individual Award at a ceremony hosted in November.

The accolade, awarded to Nicola for demonstrating outstanding passion, dedication and commitment to patients, followed a heartwarming nomination shared by the family of a 10-week-old paediatric patient who died in 2022.

READ MORE: Town centre pub boarded up days before Christmas celebrations

Basingstoke Gazette: Nicola Flecknell receives her WOW! AwardNicola Flecknell receives her WOW! Award (Image: Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

Speaking shortly after receiving her award, Nicola said: “I am incredibly proud to receive this award for the palliative care I provided to a special baby girl and her family on the neonatal unit at Basingstoke hospital.

"I am humbled by the kind words written in the nomination and grateful that I was able to provide an opportunity for a family to create lasting memories with their precious daughter.”

Chief executive at Hampshire Hospitals, Alex Whitfield, said: “We are very proud of Nicola and are delighted for her in winning an award at the national ceremony – she is an inspiration to all.

SEE ALSO: Plumbing business passes from father to son heading into 2024

“Outstanding patient care takes place at Hampshire Hospitals every day, and it’s wonderful to see this recognised on a national stage.

"The challenges associated with providing acute paediatric care cannot be overestimated. It takes someone very special to carry out this work, something exemplified by Nicola.”

All WOW! Awards ceremony nominees and winners were chosen by an independent panel of customer experience experts with a wealth of knowledge and experience, hand-picked by the WOW! Awards team.

The WOW! Awards play an important role in celebrating colleagues and showing recognition to the staff who make such a difference to patient care at Hampshire Hospitals, with over 30,000 HHFT nominations received since the initiative was launched in 2009.

More information on how to nominate someone can be found at hampshire.thewowawards.co.uk.