Top award for Vale of Leven Hospital nurse

Nov 14 2008 by Amanda McKendrick, Lennox Herald (main ed)

A CARING cardiac nurse was left speechless after winning a top prize at a glamorous awards ceremony.

Linda Harley, cardiac rehabilitation nurse at the Vale of Leven Hospital, picked up the Heart Disease Care gong at the glitzy Scottish Health Awards bash at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange on Thursday – and revealed she never believed she would win.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked if I’m honest. I really didn’t think I would win something like this,” she said.

“It was so nice to be nominated that I hadn’t even prepared anything to say I was so convinced I wouldn’t win.”

Linda was nominated by her friend and fellow nurse at the Vale, Milly McPherson, for her caring attitude and complete dedication to the patients she has treated as a nurse for over 30 years.

Linda said: “I was so happy Milly nominated me. I had no idea as she had kept it a complete surprise.”

Milly was joined by Linda’s husband Jim and mum Margaret at the ceremony and all three were thrilled their girl came away with the prize.

But Linda believes the award is not just for her, but for the whole team at the Vale, and she is over-the-moon that the hospital is finally being recognised for all its good work.

“After all of the bad press surrounding the hospital, it really has given us all a great boost,” she said.

“I was presented with the award by Nicola Sturgeon.

“The award isn’t just for me, it’s for everyone and we all deserve it for the hard work we put in.”