Lewisham Rheumatology Team Wins Double National Award
Leah Irungu and her team at University Hospital Lewisham honoured for outstanding patient care at NRAS Healthcare Champions Awards.
By Priya Shah
••4 min read
AI
Close-up of a stethoscope on a medical chart.
The Rheumatology team at University Hospital Lewisham has achieved a significant double award success at the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society’s (NRAS) Healthcare Champions Awards, recognising their exceptional patient care.
Colleagues from the Rheumatology team at University Hospital Lewisham are celebrating a remarkable double success at the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society’s (NRAS) Healthcare Champions Awards. Leah Irungu, Lead Rheumatology Nurse Specialist, received an individual NRAS Healthcare Champion award, while the hospital’s wider Rheumatology team was also recognised with a team award. The awards were presented on Friday 2 October as part of celebrations marking the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society’s 25th anniversary. They recognise healthcare professionals and teams who have gone the extra mile to provide exemplary patient care. The winners were patient nominated, with selections made from over 100 nominations by a panel of rheumatology experts, senior clinicians, and patient representatives.
Leah Irungu's nominations highlighted her clinical expertise, compassion, patience, and humanity. Patients described her as “my angel” for her crucial role in guarding them from COVID vulnerability and guiding them to remission. Another patient noted her patient approach in exploring treatment options, stating, “Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, she patiently explored different treatment options with me, working in true partnership until we found the solution that worked.” One patient also shared how Leah attended their research presentation at the British Library to offer support, exemplifying her nature of celebrating others' successes.
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"Receiving this award is incredibly special because the nominations came from patients - reading them genuinely brought me to tears! It is a privilege to support people who need our care and work in tandem with them, but also I am fortunate to work as part of a truly incredible Rheumatology team."
The team award recognised the colleagues' responsive, practical, and compassionate care. Patients shared experiences of the team showing great kindness and patience through flare-ups, medication changes, and periods of poor mental health, with one stating, “They have never given up on me, even at times when I was giving up on myself.” Another nominator credited the team with “given me my life back” after they went from being fit and healthy to living with constant pain and inability to walk.
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"This recognition means a great deal to all of us because it is rooted in the experiences of our patients. Rheumatology care is a team effort, involving consultants, specialist nurses, administrative colleagues and many others working closely together - but at the end of the day, it all has the patient’s needs and goals right at the centre."
Dr Louise Pollard, Clinical Lead for Rheumatology at University Hospital Lewisham, expressed pride in the team's achievement, stating, “As well as delight at the team success, we all feel enormously proud of Leah. Her sheer determination to do the best for every patient represents the values our team, and our Trust, work to uphold each day. These awards belong to everyone who contributes to the care and support our patients receive.”
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"This is an outstanding achievement for Leah and the entire Rheumatology team. The words shared by their patients show how compassionate care can transform lives for the better, particularly when people are coping with long-lasting pain and diagnoses that require constant management. I would like to congratulate Leah and every member of the team. Their success is richly deserved."
Dr Mehool Patel, LGT’s Chief Medical Officer, congratulated Leah and the team, highlighting how their compassionate care transforms lives. The double award is seen as a proud moment for the Trust, recognising the team's efforts in helping patients regain confidence, independence, hope, and health.
