An Essex nurse who has created a pioneering care record has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Diane Palmer, who works for Veterans First, has been nominated in the ‘innovations in your speciality’ category of the RCNi Nurse Awards for her creation of a care record that ensures veterans do not have to repeat traumatic stories on multiple occasions to different health professionals.

The initiative, called the veterans universal passport, also contains a patient’s history, care plan, risk plan and task list.

Ms Palmer said: “I am delighted to be a finalist in the RCNi Nurse Awards.

“As a nurse it is a great privilege to be able to make a difference and I am proud to uphold my profession.

“This highlights the difference one small idea can make to the lives of many.”

She will find out whether she has won during a special ceremony in London on May 5 at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel.