BMI Healthcare nurse wins top prize at Nursing Times Awards

BMI Healthcare has announced that Annie Ollivierre-Smith, an employee of BMI The London Independent Hospital, has won the top prize at the 2013 Nursing Times Awards.

The healthcare worker – who serves as cath lab manager and lead cardiac nurse at the central London facility – has become the first private sector nurse ever to win the nurse of the year accolade at the prestigious event.

She was recognised for her work in developing and refining the cardiac service at the hospital over the past decade, as well as her wider achievements in cardiac nursing over the course of a 36-year career.

Under her management, the cardiac service at BMI The London Independent Hospital has performed more than 11,000 procedures, while Ms Ollivierre-Smith has treated more than 26,561 patients at the facility since 1989.

Kirsty Baker, executive director of BMI The London Independent Hospital, said: "The cardiac service within our hospital is truly world class and this recognition for Annie and for the private sector truly recognises a monumental career in the field of nursing and cardiac excellence."

This comes after the facility officially opened its newly-refurbished outpatient department last month.