Three Croydon women have embodied "everything that’s good in nursing."

Nakita Martin, Linda Litchfield and Yvonne Tappin have each played vital roles at Croydon Univesity Hospital over the years, and last week that hard work was recognised

At an annual awards ceremony at the CUH, Ms Martin was named 'healthcare assistant of the year', something she was very excited to learn.

“Someone once said I get on well with people who have difficult conditions like dementia, so suggested this job," she said.

"It’s a great feeling to be so appreciated.”

She was nominated for the award for her "can-do" attitude and regularly working through her own lunch breaks to help older patients.

For Ms Litchfield, who was named 'nurse of the year', it was her work with a batch of new children's nurses that garnered her recognition.

Finally it was the "kind and compassionate" Ms Tappin that took out midwife of the year.

She was quick to push the spotlight off herself.

“I want to thank my great teammates," she said.

"We all work well together and that’s really important.”

And thee trio's colleagues were quick to thank them for the care and dedication that earned them the awards.

Croydon NHS Trust’s director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, Michael Fanning, said: “Nakita, Linda and Yvonne embody everything that’s good in nursing at Croydon – warmth, talent, dedication and attention to detail.

"We’re proud to have them and their teams working here.

“Our nurses work really creatively with social workers, local authorities, charities and other services to find new ways to improve people’s health and independence.

"So it’s a great time to be a nurse in Croydon and explore the possibilities of modern healthcare.”