Rebecca Worswick, a nurse in respiratory medicine at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, has been named a finalist in the Nurse Leader of the Year category at the Nursing Times Awards 2026.
The award recognises exceptional nurse leaders working across the NHS and independent healthcare sector.
Rebecca has worked in respiratory medicine since 2004 and has spent almost 22 years caring for patients in Bolton.
Over the past three and a half years, she has established an Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) nursing service at the trust, giving patients and their families a dedicated local point of contact and improving access to care both at home and in clinic.
She said: “I am truly overwhelmed to be shortlisted for such an honourable award and could not provide the work I do for patients and their families without the support of my respiratory consultants and nursing colleagues.
“I have been a nurse in Bolton for almost 22 years and devoted my career to respiratory.
“Over the last three and a half years I have built an Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) nursing service in Bolton.
“This means patients with ILD and their families now have a local contact, more access to appointments and are supported both at home and in clinic during their times of need.
“I come to work to do my job to the best of my ability. I am thankful for the recognition of the work I provide.”
As part of her role, Rebecca has also built a close relationship with the Bolton Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group, attending its monthly meetings to answer questions, offer reassurance and help ensure members receive the care they need.
The group supports people living with pulmonary fibrosis, as well as their families, friends and carers, by providing information, advice and opportunities to share experiences.
Steve Milward, the group’s founding chairman, praised Rebecca in his nomination for the award.
He said: “The members and I cannot speak highly enough about her as a person, but also her general standard of support and nursing care.
“She has no hesitation in going the extra mile to provide individual care that each of her patients need.
“One patient reported that when he gets up around 8am each morning, he found himself having severe breathing difficulties.
“Rebecca responded to this by visiting the patient’s home at 8am to observe him getting up, evaluated his symptoms and gave him the appropriate advice.”
The winners of the Nursing Times Awards 2026 will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday, October 29.