AN ‘UNDERSTANDING’ mental health worker has been nominated for a Worcestershire Health and Social Care award.

Nick Bushell who works as part of the home treatment team for Hillcrest ward in the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch has been praised for his reassuring attitude.

Patricia Paterson, one of Nick’s clients has nominated him for an award as she feels he deserves recognition for his hard work.

She said: “He has a manner which is approachable and puts you at your ease so that you feel able to discuss anything.

“He always talked through your care plan so that you felt you were contributing to your well-being.

“Nick used his experience to make you feel 'normal' because when you have mental health problems you lose sight of everything.”

In response to his nomination, Nick said: “I’m delighted to be nominated for this award. It feels very rewarding that the efforts of my colleagues and I are recognised and appreciated.

“It means a lot to know that you’ve made a difference to someone, especially when they are going through a tough time in life.

“As psychiatric nurses, we make some strong relationships with our patients and through those relationships, we help them, but we also have to deal with some very difficult things, things that most other people never encounter.”

The Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards have been launched across all of our titles in Worcestershire - Worcester News, Malvern Gazette, Evesham Journal, Bromsgrove & Droitwich Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser and The Shuttle, in conjunction with the University of Worcester.

The Mental Health Award is sponsored by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Now We’re Talking campaign, which aims to reduce stigma and encourage more local people to access mental health support across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

To nominate someone, visit https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/whsc-awards-2022/.