Joint Executive Director of Communications Shelley Wright present Maxine Rossall with her award
A nurse who returned from maternity leave to lead a new department was named this year’s Rising Star at Blackpool hospitals’ annual Celebrating Success staff awards.
Nominating ward manager Maxine Rossall, colleagues described her as “an incredible nurse” who was “inspiring” as well as “encouraging, supportive and approachable”. Another said “we feel blessed to have a wonderful ward manager”.
The Rising Star award, which was presented by Joint Executive Director of Communications Shelley Wright, honours someone who is a leader of the future, who has adapted and excelled in their new duties or existing roles and who has shown exceptional determination.
Maxine became the manager of the Same Day Emergency Care ward at Blackpool hospital when it opened in summer 2022. It offers medical and surgical care seven days a week, avoiding the need for patients to stay in hospital overnight.
Maxine said: “I’m shocked and overwhelmed. It’s an honour to manage such an amazing team and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Watch Maxine learn she has won the award. The runners up were Community Staff Nurse Candice Tugwell and Bereavement Specialist Midwife Laura Walsh.
More than 400 nominations were received for the Celebrating Success 2023 Blackpool hospitals annual staff awards in a year which marks the service’s 75th birthday on 5 July. The ceremony was watched online by thousands of colleagues, family and members of the public.