Children’s hospice nurse honoured by Prince Harry and charity

A hospice nurse, who specialises in caring for children who require ventilation, has received national recognition from Prince Harry and the charity of which he is a patron.

Hannah Lines, ventilation nurse specialist at Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in West Sussex, last night received the Best Nurse accolade during the 2023 WellChild Awards.

Ms Lines, whose role involves training colleagues in children's ventilation as well as assisting families, was put forward for the award by the mother of a child she has looked after.

“Hannah is an angel on earth and my son’s life was blessed to have her in it"

Laura McLoughlin

Laura McLoughlin’s son Lennon was born with multiple complex needs, and the family was supported by Ms Lines during various stages of his illness including when he died.

Ms McLoughlin said Ms Lines provided her with “strength” and “light” during the most difficult time of her life.

After being picked from hundreds of nominations, Ms Lines was handed the Best Nurse award during a ceremony last night at the Hurlingham Club in London.

She met and was congratulated by WellChild patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, during a pre-ceremony reception.

Her nominator, Ms McLoughlin, said: “Hannah is an angel on earth and my son’s life was blessed to have her in it.

“She made the toughest journey of my life seem like there was always light and someone I trusted standing alongside and fighting for us.”

Matt James, chief executive of the charity behind the awards, WellChild, said the ceremony helped recognise the professionals going “above and beyond” for their patients at a time when the number of children and young people in the UK living with serious illnesses was growing.

Meanwhile, Anna Jones, director of children’s services at Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, said the organisation was “so proud” of Ms Lines for winning the Best Nurse award.

She added: “We’re seeing such a high level of clinical complexity at the hospice and, as our ventilation nurse specialist, Hannah has been instrumental in us being able to meet the needs of those children – working hard to skill up the rest of the team and supporting families so that they can access the care and support they need to help them live with a ventilator.”