Britain\u2019s oldest nurse Daisy Richards, 84, has struck gold at the social care Oscars.<\/p>\n
The remarkable\u00a0 Daisy Richards first qualified as a nurse in 1958 – and she is still going strong and not ready to retire from her job at the Fairways Newydd Nursing and Dementia Care Home in Llanfairpwll on Anglesey,<\/p>\n
She was awarded with the gold Dignity in Care Award at the glittering Wales Care Awards ceremony in Cardiff which waas hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.<\/p>\n
And there was double delight for Daisy after she was also awarded a bronze Outstanding Service Award at the celebration.<\/p>\n
Humble Daisyconceded that picking up the gold award was \u201ca bit of an achievement at the age of 84\u201d.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0said: \u201cI\u2019m still in a state of shock at getting the gold award to be honest, I still don\u2019t think it has registered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat really floored me was to be announced a winner for the Dignity Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me a few seconds to realise it was me. One of my colleagues who was sitting by me told me I had to go and get the award. It was lovely, everybody was so kind.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe awards evening was fantastic, it was wonderful to be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy manager Rebekah told me to enjoy the award, take it on board and accept it was something I had achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the sort of person who finds that difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just go to work, do my work and do my best. I suppose it will take me a while to come to terms with getting the award.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose it is a bit of an achievement at the age of 84.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing is, I really still enjoy my job, every bit of it, I enjoy every day at work looking after the dementia patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I really think it\u2019s true that age is only a number.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople ask why I am still working at 84, and I say it could be any number \u2013 I could be 20 or 30. The important thing is that I am still able to work, do my work to my maximum capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daisy said she has no plans to retire \u2013 and was already looking ahead to next year and the nursing revalidation process to maintain her registration.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI have to revalidate next year, so I am getting ready to revalidate.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople say I will be 85 next year, so ask am I really going to revalidate. And I say: \u2018But yes, of course!\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cAll my colleagues are so supportive and kind, I really enjoy working with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daisy was nominated for an award by Rebekah Charles, the manager at Fairways Newydd Nursing and Dementia Care Home.<\/p>\n
Rebekah said Daisy\u2019s colleagues cheered her on as she received her award.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe gold award was so well-deserved, we were all thrilled for her, and it was great to be at the awards to see her receive it.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is so humble that even until the very last minute she was telling us the award wasn\u2019t for her, but for all of us.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is so lovely and humble\u00a0that she is not capable of easily accepting such an individual award, but she really does deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebekah paid tribute to Daisy and her remarkable work, saying: \u201cDaisy’s commitment to her role on the nursing team at Fairways Newydd is truly remarkable, particularly given her age.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer approach reflects the values of an old-school matron, where she expects nothing less than excellence in care delivery, from the smallest details like bed- making to the overall organisation of medication administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaisy, has an extensive career in the care sector, spanning nearly five decades, beginning in 1976. Throughout this time, she has dedicated herself to caring for the elderly working with care homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaisy began her career after qualifying as a registered nurse in 1958. Following her qualification and registration, she gained invaluable experience at Epsom District Hospital, where she worked on a medical ward for several years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 1972, Daisy moved to Anglesey and joined Bangor Hospital, further expanding her expertise in healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dignity in Care Award was sponsored by the Welsh Government, with the award announced and presented by Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.<\/p>\n
The Outstanding Service Award was sponsored by Caron Group. It was announced by Raam Joshi, Managing Director, Caron Group. It was presented by\u00a0Julie Morgan AS\/MS, Member of the Senedd.<\/p>\n
The Wales Care Awards, the Oscars of social care, are organised by Care Forum Wales, and the overall sponsor this year was Ontex Healthcare.<\/p>\n
Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high.
\nHe added: \u201cThere are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cI trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
\n\u201dWe take our hats off to them.\u201d<\/p>\n