Sarah-Jane Nurrish

DME Matron – Bedford Hospital – Lifetime Achievement Award

Sarah-Jane was nominated for her incredible 30 years spent caring for the elderly at Bedford Hospital:

“There are people in healthcare who go above and beyond every single day and then there is the beautiful Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane is the glue that quietly, consistently, and compassionately holds everything together in the care of the elderly team at Bedford Hospital.

“Sarah Jane qualified as a nurse in 1995, beginning her journey at Bedford Hospital on Russell Ward, where she swiftly rose through the ranks senior staff nurse, sister, and ward manager by 2003. Her leadership was pivotal when she moved to Harpur Ward, and where she successfully amalgamated the teams from Russell and Arnold Whitchurch Wards. She played a crucial role in facilitating the set-up of the CDAD IPC Unit in 2013, which played a major role in reducing infection-related CDIF and harms trust-wide.

“Her achievements are too many to list, but each one has made a lasting impact. From successfully applying for King’s Fund support to refurbish the entire fourth floor and creating a calm, therapeutic environment for patients with dementia and cognitive impairment, to being the driving force behind the achievement of the prestigious RCP Quality Mark. Sarah Jane has led with integrity, skill, and a profound commitment to improving elderly care.

“She rolled out the Butterfly Scheme in 2016, and together with the Safeguarding Lead Nurse, developed the activity coordinator role in 2019. In 2020 introduced the therapy dogs to elderly wards, and in 2021, she played a crucial role in bringing the Trust’s vision of a dementia-friendly garden to life by using Captain Tom’s funds. Sarah Jane didn’t just design it she helped plant the flowers in her own spare time. That garden stands as a living symbol of her dedication.

“Yet, perhaps her greatest quality is who she is as a person. Sarah Jane is kind, impartial, deeply honest, and completely selfless. Her care extends beyond patients it reaches her staff, colleagues, and every person she encounters. She notices when someone is struggling and is the first to offer help. She’s the matron everyone wants in their corner, not just because of her wisdom, but because she genuinely, wholeheartedly cares.

“Born into a faithful family, Sarah Jane learned early on what it meant to give of oneself. Even as a young girl, she took on the responsibility of serving others alongside her parents, whose lives were devoted to helping others a selflessness that has shaped her life and her leadership. She doesn’t just talk about compassion she lives it.

“And in the spirit of light-hearted admiration: despite her daily doses of full caffeine Pepsi Max, she’s somehow managed to remain a size 8 for 30 years much to everyone’s envy!

“This year marks Sarah Jane’s 30th anniversary at Bedford Hospital. In that time, she has never lost her love for the patients, for her team, for her work. She is a phenomenal woman, an extraordinary nurse, and a truly deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. We are so proud and so grateful to call her one of our own.

“I would like to nominate Sarah Jane for the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her dedication and the lasting impact she has made on the DME wards at Bedford Hospital. As a Matron, she has been a pillar of support for her teams, always leading with kindness and a genuine passion for improving patient care.

“She has played a key role in making our wards dementia-friendly, helping to create an environment where patients feel safe, comfortable, and valued. Her commitment to enhancing care for those living with dementia has made a real difference to both patients and their families.

“Beyond her work on the wards, she was instrumental in bringing Captain Tom’s Garden to life a beautiful space within the hospital that provides a peaceful retreat for patients, visitors, and staff. Her dedication to projects like this shows how much she cares, not just about clinical care, but about the overall well-being of everyone around her.

“Throughout her career, she has been a source of guidance, encouragement, and inspiration to so many. She leads by example, always putting patients and staff first, and we can’t imagine our wards without her guidance and warmth. Her impact goes beyond just the work she does it’s the way she makes people feel valued and supported every day. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and this award would be a fitting recognition of everything she has given to nursing.”