AN AIREDALE Hospital nurse was among the finalists in a prestigious regional awards scheme.

Julia Nixon, an advanced nurse practitioner in acute medicine, was nominated for a leadership recognition award from the Yorkshire and Humber Leadership Academy.

"I was surprised to be nominated – I don't feel that I have done anything amazing but I am very passionate about patient care and my role," she said.

"I am a nurse and have been a senior sister in acute care so I can bring a different dimension to the role when I go on the ward rounds, but I have the skills to do anything a doctor can do.

"It is a great help to our teams to have an advanced nurse practitioner as there is a national shortage of junior doctors and by offering better cover we can ensure quality and safety of care for our patients.

"Leadership is all about promoting good communications across your team and making sure that they can support each other, and developing their skills."

She attended an afternoon tea at the Marriot Hotel in Leeds, where the regional Leadership Recognition Awards results were announced and a short film was shown about her work.

Visit //yh.hee.nhs.uk/what-we-do/yorkshire-humber-leadership-academy/2014-nhs-leadership-recognition-awards/ to see a film about the finalists.