A WORCESTER nurse has won a national award for her inspirational work with bowel cancer patients.

Bernice Kent received a Gary Logue Colorectal Nurse Award from the charity Beating Bowel Cancer at the National Colorectal Cancer Nurse Network Conference yesterday (September 25).

Ms Kent, colorectal clinical nurse specialist at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, was nominated by patients and received the award for her fantastic support, encouragement, professionalism and dedication to patients.

The awards were established in memory of Gary Logue, one of Beating Bowel Cancer’s specialists nurse advisors, who died in 2014.

They aim to recognise nurses who make a big difference to the lives of bowel cancer patients.

Ms Kent was presented with her award by Gary’s partner, Cristian Leon, at the Royal College of Physicians in London.

The award includes a £250 bursary towards her professional development.

Ms Kent said: “As a colorectal clinical nurse specialist helping patients through their bowel cancer diagnosis and the trials that comes with this is not always easy, but the people I am fortunate enough to meet inspire and surprise me in so many ways.

“The nominations I have received have really touched me from the bottom of my heart, what an honour and privilege to know I have been able to make people feel safe and supported in some way when they are going through such a devastating and life-changing period.”

Sue Rogers, one of Ms Kent's patients, said: “Bernice makes me feel safe, and for anyone that has cancer and is going through treatment, this is the most valuable feeling to have. Bernice empowered me to be as positive as I could on my journey to recovery.”

Bowel cancer is the UK's second biggest cancer with around 41,000 people diagnosed each year.

Judith Brodie, chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, said: “We’re thrilled to present Bernice with this award.

"Her dedication to her work and her willingness to go above and beyond for her patients is inspiring.

"She’s a role model for all those who work with cancer patients and greatly deserves this recognition.

“We wanted to say thank you to her for all the fantastic work she does to make lives better for bowel cancer patients and their families.”

For more information about bowel cancer, visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org.