Sam Westbrook, the UK’s first Peritoneal Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist, has been shortlisted in the Oncology Nurse of the Year category at the British Journal of Nursing (BJN) 2023 awards.
Sam is based at the Peritoneal Malignancy Institute Basingstoke, part of Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and her post is funded by Mesothelioma UK.
The BJN awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of nurses and acknowledge their impact on patients’ lives. Finalists are invited to a prestigious awards ceremony on 24 March 2023 where the winners will be announced.
Sam was nominated in the category of oncology nursing – an award that recognises nurses who have made a demonstrable improvement to the delivery of cancer patient care.
Mesothelioma is a cancer related to exposure to asbestos and around 2,700 people are diagnosed each year. It can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural) or, in around 10 per cent of cases, the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal).
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital is the largest centre in the world for treating patients with peritoneal malignancies. Although based in Basingstoke, Sam works on a national scale, taking referrals from all across the UK.
Sam’s post, as the country’s first Peritoneal Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist, has been funded by Mesothelioma UK since 2018. It is a unique role that sees Sam working hard to ensure all patients have access to the best care and treatment options available for this rare and complex cancer.
Leah Taylor, Head of Nursing for Mesothelioma UK said: “We’re so proud that Sam has been shortlisted for this award. It’s testament to her hard work and dedication to improving the lives of those affected by peritoneal mesothelioma. Sam has been pivotal in raising the profile of the disease among other healthcare professionals and ensuring patients get the best possible treatment and care. We wish her the very best of luck!”
Julie Dawes, chief nurse at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that Sam has been shortlisted for this award. It is a credit to her incredible work to provide the best possible care to patients with this rare form of cancer, and we are extremely proud of the difference Sam makes to her patients every day. We wish her the best of luck!”
