A matron who transformed eye care at an east London hospital has been named the UK’s nurse of the year.
Tara Matare received the award from the Royal College of Nursing for her work over 14 years at Whipps Cross hospital in Leytonstone.
She has virtually eradicated excess delays in patients receiving emergency eye treatment, built a highly skilled team, reduced staff vacancy rates to virtually zero and tackled a culture of bullying.
Ms Matare said: “This is a dream come true. I have been a nurse for over 25 years and to be recognised in this way for me is the pinnacle of my career.
“If you are dedicated it pays, if you are dedicated the sky is the limit for you.”
Consultant eye surgeon Sudeshna Patra, who nominated Ms Matare for the RCNi Nurse Awards, said: “Her greatest strength is her refusal to give up.”
RCN deputy president Yvonne Coghill said: “The judges were especially impressed with her determination to develop her team and the way in which she has turned every member of the nurse workforce into a leader.”
