Alison was chosen in recognition of her exceptional work in running The Pituitary Foundation Endocrine Nurse Helpline for 10 years. The Society’s Endocrine Nurse Award aims to recognise individuals who have demonstrated innovative and successful nurse-led initiatives in the endocrine field that have advanced best practice in research, education or patient care.

Alison said, ‘This helpline is a valuable service for patients, their families and carers who have been diagnosed with a pituitary condition. These are very rare and complex conditions and people feel very isolated and alone. Many hospitals in the UK do not have the luxury of a specialist endocrine team and have no specialist nurse to advise them. This is why I feel that my Nurse Helpline was so valuable and so much in demand.’

The judges who made the Award to Alison emphasised the importance of her work in supporting patients: ‘The Helpline is an indispensable resource for patients and is clearly used widely across the UK. Alison has demonstrated the positive impact it has had on patients and it is clear it is much needed. Alison has been key in the development and success of this service. Alongside this, she has developed a great resource document for patients post-surgery, and she continues to champion the Endocrine Specialist Nurse role for patient support.’

They added, ‘Her commitment over a 10-year period to The Pituitary Foundation, her innovations in steroid education and her dedication to patient care are to be celebrated. She deserves this award.’

If you have a nurse colleague whom you would like to nominate for the Society’s 2020 Endocrine Nurse Award, remember that applications are now open until 8 July 2019. See www.endocrinology.org/grants-and-awards/prizes-and-awards/endocrine-nurse-award for further details.