Sarcoma Nurse Specialist at RJAH wins Tricia Moate Award

A Macmillan Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) has received an award for allied health professionals (AHPs) and nurses.

Elaine Richardson, who works on RJAH’s specialist oncology unit, has won the Tricia Moate Award, which was established by the charity Sarcoma UK in memory of Tricia – a former clinical nurse specialist – who was diagnosed with Sarcoma and sadly passed away in 2018. Tricia drew on her experience as a patient and her professional knowledge to become an advocate for the sarcoma community.

The award was created to support the personal and professional development of AHPs and nurses, ultimately benefiting sarcoma patients. With sarcoma centres spread across the country, professionals can have limited opportunities to meet, share best practice and collaborate.

Through the award, Elaine will receive sponsorship to attend the British Sarcoma Group annual conference, including travel, accommodation, the conference dinner and full access to the programme, where she will also have the opportunity to produce information to present to the international delegates.

She will also be supported to attend an additional study day focused on personal development and patient care, and to visit another specialist sarcoma centre in the UK, with travel and overnight accommodation covered.

Together, these opportunities will help to broaden knowledge, strengthen collaboration across the UK sarcoma network and support continued improvements in patient care.

Elaine said: “I feel incredibly honoured to receive this award. While it is a personal achievement, it also reflects the hard work, dedication and compassion of the whole team around me, who share my commitment to continually improving care for our patients.

“Knowing that Tricia’s family are involved in the selection process makes the recognition feel even more special and meaningful, and I am very grateful for the opportunities it will give me to build on our work and bring new learning back to the team.”

During the additional study day, Elaine will explore ways to improve nutrition for newly diagnosed patients and develop a greater understanding of the important role nutrition can play throughout treatment.

She added: “I’m looking forward to making the most of this opportunity, sharing what I learn with colleagues and using it to further strengthen the care and support we provide for people living with sarcoma.”