AN INSPIRING senior nurse has been recognised for dedicating more than 40 years to the NHS and her efforts in the fight against coronavirus.

Tricia Pease who works at Royal Berkshire Hospital, in Reading, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

The honours give royal recognition from Her Majesty the Queen for outstanding achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the country.

READ MORE: Steady increase in coronavirus rates across Bracknell

Among those honoured is Tricia who is the associate chief nurse for safeguarding, mental health and learning disabilities with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

She said: "It was a surprise to me when I found out.

"It was really odd because I was just trying to clear my emails when I saw one come in at 20 past six from the [government] cabinet office.

"I felt so pleased and it's a real privilege but I honestly couldn't have done it without everyone's support.

"The Royal Berkshire Hospital has been amazing, the local authorities, Thames Valley Police and Berkshire West CCG – I couldn't have got this award without them and my amazing husband preparing me dinner ready for when I get home.

"What a privilege and an honour."

Tricia has been made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to nursing, children and young people and safeguarding, including during the Covid 19 response.

The 64-year-old, who started her career with the RBH in 1996 as a staff nurse, has been a key member of the Safeguarding Mental Health and Learning Disability Partnership in Berkshire West supporting vulnerable patients in hospital and in the community.

ALSO READ: Met office issues another snow and ice warning for Bracknell

During the pandemic, Tricia and the safeguarding team spearheaded a family liaison service to support patients, family, and staff.

This included the roll-out of iPads to ensure families could stay connected virtually during one of the loneliest times for hospital patients, and helped develop a framework for visiting care homes. These efforts also included sourcing a laptop for a vulnerable patient within the community to help keep them connected with family and friends during isolation.

The family liaison service also provided mental health support for junior staff in coping with seeing the large number of deaths during the pandemic. This has since prompted the roll-out of an online support package for hospital staff including a 24-7 online chat service for the foreseeable future.

Chief nursing officer Caroline Ainslie said: "I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.

"Tricia is a fabulous colleague whose contribution to the community of Berkshire West and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is outstanding, and that’s why I nominated her.

"Congratulations Tricia, there is no-one who is more justified in receiving this."

Tricia added: "Despite being 64-years-old, you never stop learning. I didn't think I'd ever see anything like this in my career but it's actually been a privilege.

"I've learned a lot, especially to be kinder to one another and to be grateful for what you have got.

"Yes having an MBE is a privilege but it's been a privilege to get it through the support of my team."