A NURSE charged with leading the fight against potentially deadly hospital infections has been shortlisted for a prestigious national health award.

Carol Clive’s efforts to help stamp out infections such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile (C.diff) have seen her make a final shortlist of just 10, from more than 1,000 nominations, in the clinical leader of the year category at the 2013 Health Service Journal Awards.

Mrs Clive is the nurse consultant for infection prevention and control at Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, the county’s main provider of community, specialist and mental health care.

Mrs Clive said she was “shocked and delighted” to be nominated and paid tribute to both her team and clinical and support staff right across the trust.

“It is testament to the work that the team undertakes to ensure high standards of infection prevention and control, and me being shortlisted is recognition of everyone’s efforts and achievements,” she said.

Sandra Brennan, the trust’s director of quality, said Mrs Clive’s nomination was very well-deserved.

“It is typical of Carole to be modest about her achievements. She is highly regarded by staff across the trust,” she said. “She and her team have a high profile and are passionate about ensuring and maintaining very high standards in infection prevention and control.”

Alastair McLellan, editor-in-chief of the Health Service Journal, said anyone shortlisted for an award could consider themselves a “leader in innovation and best practice”. She will now attend an interview in front of an expert panel in London in October before attending a glitzy ceremony in November where she will learn whether she has scooped the top accolade.