Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A north Derbyshire hospice charity has received a national nursing award for its work during the pandemic, which ensured those who depended on its services were not cut off from friends and family.

Staff at the Ashgate Hospice inpatient unit received the outstanding contribution to infection prevention and control award from the Royal College of Nursing Institute.

Ward manager Karen Walker said: “It is a privilege to be part of this incredible team who have consistently gone above and beyond to ensure patients and their families receive the very best care.

“When COVID-19 first hit we were quick to respond to the changing demands and procedures, despite our own anxieties and fears around the virus.”

Members of the inpatient unit team at Ashgate Hospice.

She added: “I feel honoured that my team have been acknowledged and it’s amazing that we have been given this award.”

Ashgate is one of the few hospices in the UK which cared for end-of-life patients with COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.

Earlier this year, demand for its support and services was so great that the hospice opened a second Covid wing. At one point, one in three beds were used by patients with the virus.

Judges praised the team for a scrupulous approach to infection prevention which saw them successfully avoid any outbreaks of Covid, and allowed patients to continue receiving visitors throughout.

North Derbyshire hospice wins national nursing award for Covid response