A WOMAN from Tavistock who is described as ‘the voice for cancer services and cancer patients’ has been recognised for her devotion to improve patients care.

Sian Dennison, head of nursing for cancer and end of life at Derriford Hospital, has won the ‘excellence in cancer care award’ at the NHS70 Parliamentary awards.

The prestigious competition is the first of its kind to mark the 70th birthday of the NHS and to recognise the massive contribution made by the individuals who work in and alongside the NHS.

Nominations for the awards were put forward by MPs Johnny Mercer, Gary Streeter MP and Luke Pollard, before a panel of regional judges chose the shortlist from nearly 800 nominations submitted.

Sian attended the awards ceremony last Wednesday (July 4) held in Parliament’s Terrace Pavilion, where she was announced the winner. The award was presented by the chief executive of NHS Improvement Ian Dalton and Andreas Haimböck-Tichy, director of healthcare and life sciences at IBM.

Upon receiving the award, Sian said: ‘I’m utterly flabbergasted — absolutely thrilled. I feel so very lucky. But it’s not just about me.

‘To me, this award is about the team I work with. I couldn’t have achieved all that has been delivered without their passion, dedication and their support to improve patient care and make a difference.’

Sian has been a nurse for more than 30 years and has been described by her colleagues as ‘the voice for cancer services and cancer patients in the region’.

Ann James, chief executive of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: ‘Sian has been one of my role models for many years.

‘She’s such a lovely, able and committed individual, and we are incredibly proud of her.

‘We’d like to thank all three MPs for their brilliant support in nominating Sian, and for helping her and her team to be recognised for their fantastic work.’

University Hospitals Plymouth gave a ‘big congratulations’ cheer to Sian, ‘an incredibly worthy winner’.