A TEAM of nurses in Hertfordshire are celebrating recognition for providing top quality care in the county.

Hertfordshire County Council's Health Liaison Team scooped the 2011 Nursing Times Team of the Year award last week.

The integrated health and social care team provides expert support and advice to enable adults with a learning disability to access mainstream health services.

Lead nurse Alison Fitzgerald said: “The team is absolutely delighted and grateful to all those who have supported us.

"We are particularly pleased that this helps to raise the profile of the health needs of people with learning disabilities and learning disabilities nursing.”

The Health Liaison Team - the only finalists to come from a local authority - received £1,000 prize money.

County councillor Colette Wyatt-Lowe, cabinet member for health and adult care, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. The team is leading the field in its work to improve healthcare for people with learning disabilities and being chosen from 200 nominations to win this award acknowledges this achievement.

"They are a credit to Hertfordshire County Council and integrated working."

The team was chosen from 200 nominations at a ceremony in London on November 2.