NGH nurse wins prestigious Pathway Nurse of the Year Award

A Northampton General Hospital nurse has received a prestigious international award recognising her outstanding work to support the wellbeing and professional development of nurses and other healthcare colleagues.

Sophie Mayes, Lead Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA), has been named winner of the Pathway Nurse of the Year Award – Wellbeing and Professional Development, recognising the significant impact her work has had on colleagues across Northampton General Hospital.

Sophie’s work in professional advocacy has supported thousands of colleagues, helping to strengthen staff wellbeing, professional development, psychological safety and nurses’ professional voice.

Sophie trained as one of England’s first Professional Nurse Advocates during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since led the development of a PNA service which now includes more than 80 qualified PNAs.

The service provides colleagues with access to restorative supervision, reflective practice and professional advocacy, giving staff protected opportunities to reflect on their experiences and support their wellbeing and development.

Under Sophie’s leadership, a number of initiatives have also been introduced and expanded across the hospital, including structured restorative days for colleagues experiencing sustained moral distress and self-rostering, which is now used across all adult inpatient areas and the Emergency Department.

Professional advocacy has also been extended to Allied Health Professionals, while restorative practice supports colleagues at different stages of their careers, including newly qualified and internationally educated staff.

Robin Binks, Interim Chief Nurse at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Sophie and everything she has achieved. This award is thoroughly deserved recognition of the compassion, dedication and leadership she brings to supporting our nursing workforce.

“Sophie understands that looking after our people is fundamental to providing outstanding care for our patients. Her work has created safe and supportive spaces where colleagues can reflect, develop and find their professional voice, and the impact of that has been felt by thousands of colleagues.

“What makes Sophie so special is that she genuinely cares about people. She has taken that passion and turned it into meaningful, lasting improvements which are helping our nurses to feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

“Sophie embodies everything our Pathway to Excellence® journey is about and I could not be prouder to see her work recognised in this way. On behalf of everyone at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, I would like to congratulate Sophie on this fantastic achievement.”

Sophie’s work reflects the principles of the ANCC Pathway to Excellence® programme, which focuses on creating positive practice environments where nurses and midwifes feel empowered and supported to deliver high-quality care. Sophie holds a joint role across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, where she also delivers work at Kettering General Hospital, supporting colleagues as part of KGH’s wider Pathway to Excellence® journey.