A NURSE from Altrincham has been honoured at a special awards ceremony for dedicating more than 30 years to the Christie.

Jane Booker, 53, was recognised at the specialist cancer centre’s annual long service awards. BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull was guest of honour at the event and presented winners with their awards.

Jane first started at the Christie as a staff nurse before progressing to her current role of Macmillan urology clinical nurse specialist. She established the Christie’s urology nursing service 15 years ago which has helped improve the pathway for urology patients from referral to treatment and beyond. She is also a key figure at many national advisory groups, has established an innovative telephone service for prostate cancer patients following radiotherapy and is involved in teaching locally and nationally. She said: “The best thing about working at The Christie is being in a team of knowledgeable professionals and also being able to develop my own role and service.”

Jane, who also won an award for improving patient outcomes at the latest annual Christie staff awards event, added: “Helping patients with their cancer treatments and supporting them through difficult times is the most satisfying part of my job and being appreciated for what I do goes a long way too. It’s been a privilege to work here over the past 30 years.

“After 30 years’ experience, my advice to nurses starting out now would be to keep the patient experience at the forefront of what you do. You can’t be all things to all people but you can always do your best.”

Bill, who has been in Manchester since the BBC moved to Media City, has become a valued supporter of The Christie, having hosted a charity luncheon to raise funds. He will also be taking part in the Great Manchester Run for The Christie next month.

He said: “The Christie is an organisation that inspires loyalty, commitment and pride, and all of these traits were represented wonderfully by the long service recipients today.

“Each of them brings something special to their role, whether as a member of staff or volunteer, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with such caring and dedicated individuals.”

Fifty-seven members and staff and volunteers were recognised at the event, collectively dedicating more than 1,200 years to the Christie.

Interim chief executive Roger Spencer said; “It makes us very proud to recognise the long–standing support and hard work of so many of our staff and volunteers. That level of continuity is vital in helping us progress our services and our patients benefit massively from their dedication. They all thoroughly deserve this recognition.”