A nurse who has devoted 37 years to caring for her patients has been shortlisted for a national award. 

Yvonne Millerick was one of the UK’s first dedicated heart failure nurses in the UK and the first to be employed at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary. 

She currently works as a heart failure palliative care nurse consultant lecturer – providing support at a time when many are at their most vulnerable. 

The 54-year-old is up for the Patient’s Choice Award at the Royal College of Nursing’s annual Nursing Awards. 

She was nominated for the award by John Stuart, whose mum Mary Stuart, 88, has heart failure. 

John said: “Yvonne is amazing. She is compassionate, caring and very knowledgeable about all aspects of care relating to patients with heart failure.

"She has always been there for us as a family and nothing is ever too much trouble or off limits. 

“She frequently visits mum at home to ensure her condition is effectively managed, as well as offering psychological support to mum, dad and the wider family. 

"We can call her any time if there are changes, including out of hours and when she is off duty."

Yvonne, from Cumbernauld, started her nursing career at Forth Valley Hospital, before transferring to Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 2000. 

She is also a lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, and has been inspiring the next generation of heart failure specialist nurses and professionals across the UK for 20 years. 

Yvonne said: “I’m absolutely delighted, it means so much to me to be nominated by a patient and their family. 

"Thank you to the Stuart family for nominating me. 

“I think when people consider palliative care, they think about the loss of all hope; my approach is always to encourage patients and families to live as well as they can and to remember that there is always something we can do to help them to live well."

The award category is the only one which the public can vote for and John is urging the people of Glasgow and beyond to get behind Yvonne. 

Professor Angela Wallace, nurse director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, congratulated Yvonne. 

She said: “Yvonne is a true NHS hero and a fantastic example of how patient and family centred care can make a huge difference and it comes as no surprise that she has been nominated for this award."

You can vote for Yvonne by clicking here: https://secure.rcni.com/nurse-awards/patients-choice