A nurse from St Albans has been shortlisted for a national award by the Nursing Times.

Charmaine Newman, who works as a team leader at St Albans, has been nominated for Nurse of the Year for her work with people with a diagnosis of dementia and carers.

Ms Newman’s work includes being a dementia champion, hosting staff-led dementia challenge focus groups, establishing care groups and carer respite days and introducing a number of practical tools including an activity apron, ‘fiddle’ kit, sensory story-telling, cooking groups, horticultural classes and bus trips to a butterfly world, bowling and picnics in the park.

Ms Newman, who recently raised £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society by running the half marathon, said “It’s great to be short-listed but I’m lucky to work with a great team which makes things easier and fun.

"Dementia affects an increasing number of people and their carers’ and it’s something we all need to be aware of as it touches more lives.

“It’s important to treat people as individuals and not as a condition and I’m always looking at how we can improve their lives. I enjoy watching the change from partner and carer back to husband and wife.”