Well-known paediatrician and nurse honoured for their health care work

WellChild Awards 2014, sponsored by GSK, at The Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London, with HRH Prince Harry in attendance - HRH Prince Harry meets Dr Angela Thompson, Doctor of the Year Award winner, and husband Martyn Thomspon - 22.9.14 Picture by Antony Thompson - Thousand Word Media, NO SALES, NO SYNDICATION. Contact for more information mob: 07775556610 web: www.thousandwordmedia.com email: antony@thousandwordmedia.com The photographic copyright (© 2013) is exclusively retained by the works creator at all times and sales, syndication or offering the work for future publication to a third party without the photographer's knowledge or agreement is in breach of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, (Part 1, Section 4, 2b). Please contact the photographer should you have any questions with regard to the use of the attached work and any rights involved. TWM_WellChild_220914_0056 — WellChild Awards 2014, sponsored by GSK, at The Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London, with HRH Prince Harry in attendance - HRH Prince Harry meets Dr Angela Thompson, Doctor of the Year Award winner, and husband Martyn Thomspon - 22.9.14 Picture by Antony Thompson - Thousand Word Media, NO SALES, NO SYNDICATION. Contact for more information mob: 07775556610 web: www.thousandwordmedia.com email: [email protected] The photographic copyright (© 2013) is exclusively retained by the works creator at all times and sales, syndication or offering the work for future publication to a third party without the photographer's knowledge or agreement is in breach of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, (Part 1, Section 4, 2b). Please contact the photographer should you have any questions with regard to the use of the attached work and any rights involved. TWM_WellChild_220914_0056

They were two of hundreds nominated for honours and were presented with their awards at a gala evening in London by Prince Harry.

He is patron of WellChild, a national charity for seriously ill children, which organised the awards.

Prince Harry also gave awards to children who have overcome medical and physical problems.

HRH Prince Harry meets David Widdas, winner of the Impact on Child Health award. Right: HRH Prince Harry meets Dr Angela Thompson, Doctor of the Year Award winner, and husband Martyn Thompson . Pictures by Antony Thompson - Thousand Word Media.

Prince Harry said: “I would like to congratulate each of the award winners – your stories are moving beyond words and remind us all of just how fantastic you all are.”

Dr Angela Thompson, who was presented with the Best Doctor Award, is a complex and palliative care lead paediatrician at South Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Nominator Liz Herd, clinical lead at the trust, said: “I have been nursing for 40 years and feel Angela is unique in her ability to advocate for and communicate with children and families.

“Angela gives 110 per cent, not only to the children and young people she cares for, but also in developing services.”

Dr Thompson has made a big contribution to the development of palliative care services, is chairwoman of the West Midlands Palliative Care Network and has played a big part in the development of a care programme for the West Midlands.

She is also a supporter of Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, near Coventry, which has an office in Mill Street, Leamington.

David Widdas won the Impact in Child Health category and is a consultant nurse for children with complex health care needs at the trust.

He was part of the team who worked with Professor Jane Coad to develop an online masters programme for children’s complex and palliative care at Coventry University, the first programme of its kind in the UK.

Mr Widdas also works with the Department of Health and NHS England to develop strategy to improve care for children and families. Nominator Prof Jane Coad said: “Not only is David hardworking, he is very likeable and a well respected children nurse consultant in the UK and internationally.

“David’s contribution to the field of children’s nursing is outstanding and has significant impact in terms of achieving all his goals for the field of children’s nursing both in the West Midlands and nationally in his field.

“I always feel David brings great energy, humility, innovative thinking and logical grounding.”