A Worcestershire nurse has received a regional award after saving the NHS £1 million.

Claire Hughes, the lead nurse for tissue viability at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, has received a Regional NHS Champion Award for managing a contract for hybrid mattresses, which has improved patient safety.

She teamed up with the procurement and supplies team to secure the new contract.

The high-specification hybrid mattresses are beneficial to patient safety as they bolster pressure relief, which in turn minimises the risk of patients developing pressure ulcers.

Sometimes referred to as 'bedsores' or 'pressure sores', pressure ulcers are injuries that degenerate the skin and underlying tissue when an area of skin is subjected to pressure.

The contract organised by Ms Hughes not only improves the quality of patient care but will also save the trust £1 million over a span of four years.

The award was presented to her at the Midlands and East of England Excellence in Supply Awards, a ceremony conducted by the Health Care Supply Association (HCSA), which is affiliated with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

The clinical procurement nurse lead at the trust, Claire Moses, said: "Claire’s commitment to delivering quality care in collaboration with procurement led to the successful implementation of this contract.

"Claire has worked beyond what is expected of her and is very worthy of this award."