Dedicated worker wins Renal Nurse of the year 2024 award
A dedicated nurse at St George’s has been named as the Renal Nurse of the year.
Maria Fernandez, who is the Lead Nurse for renal transplant services, won the coveted title last Friday at the British Journal of Nursing Awards 2024.
The judges were inundated with nominations and were impressed by projects led by Maria which includes developing an electronic referral system for transplants that has sparked interest nationally.
Maria, who uses the name Rhia, said: “I am very grateful for the unwavering support of my team, colleagues, consultants, and most especially my family for always having my back!
“I’d also like to thank St. George’s Hospital for the many, many opportunities in the last 24 years.
“I am incredibly proud to be part of our amazing Renal and Transplant Family and the work that we do, which strives to continuously deliver excellent service to our patients.”
Janice Tayone, Living Donor Coordinator, added: “The renal team is very proud of her, to get an award on a national forum is a remarkable accomplishment.”
Maria’s accolade comes as St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals are set to be home to one of the largest renal services in the UK.
The new state-of-the-art facility, due to open in 2027, will be used by patients who currently receive care at both St George’s and St Helier hospitals.
- The new renal building will provide:
- 70% single rooms with ensuite bathrooms
- A building of the highest environmental standards
- Open garden spaces for public and staff use
- 89 patient beds including higher acuity care, day case beds and bariatric patient beds
- 24 acute dialysis stations including eight single rooms.
Members of the public, patients and staff are being encouraged to take a look at the proposed designs and have their say here Proposals for a new Renal Building at St George’s Hospital, Tooting – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (stgeorges.nhs.uk)
