A CANCER survivor and care home matron has won a lifetime achievement award for her work helping others for 25 years.

Elaine Allison, who has been described as ‘selfless’ by her colleagues at St. Bartholomew's Court Nursing Home, was recognised at the Our Health Heroes Awards ceremony held in London.

During her career as Matron, Elaine has overcome numerous challenges, not least being diagnosed with bladder cancer and suffering a bereavement at the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Despite all the odds, Elaine continues to have the energy and commitment of people half her age.

Much of the care home’s staff has been with Elaine the entire time she has been Matron, which is unusual for the sector. And testament to the bond Elaine shares with her colleagues, a number St. Barts’ staff have even brought their own relatives to be cared at the home as they know the strong leadership and clinical supervision that the team receives.

Receiving her award Matron Elaine said: “After a 14-year career in district nursing, I moved to the nursing home care sector.

“I've gone to work to enjoy work, it's been a vocation, wherever I've worked. And the 25 years at St. Barts have been the best years of my life and has given me so much.

“It's been nice to be around residents and to give them the best quality life in the last years of life, so too the staff that want to grow and develop and want to achieve so much. I'm humbled that people voted for me and to win this award.”

The Our Health Heroes Awards is sponsored by NHS England, NHS Employers and NHS Shared Business Services. To find out more visit: skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards