Lin for the Lords?
Friday January 13, 2011
Above: Lin Graham-Ray
An award-winning nurse, working with looked after children in Hammersmith & Fulham, has been nominated for one of the highest accolades in the country – to become a member of the House of Lords.
Lin Graham-Ray, who was named the Nursing Standard’s ‘Nurse of the Year for Child Health’ in 2009 was shocked by the surprise nomination – saying she ‘knew nothing about it’.
It was only when Lin read the pages of the Nursing Standard that she saw in print that she had been named as one of 11 nominees – by the Royal College of Nursing and same magazine that championed her work three years earlier – in their ‘Peer Pressure’ campaign to elect more nurses to the Lords. There is currently only one former nurse sitting in the House of Lords.
Lin, who is the borough’s nurse consultant and designated nurse for looked-after children, is employed by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust. She says: “I was looking through the Nursing Standard and I came across this article on the campaign and thought, ‘oh that’s interesting’, and the next thing I saw my name. I couldn’t believe it!
“It’s an honour to be nominated, especially as the other nominees are so experienced and high-profile – two of the others are already dames! I’m thrilled to have been chosen for the selection process.”
There are currently around 64,000 looked-after children living in the UK, in the care of their local authority. Looked-after children (LAC) nurses such as Lin support these young people by building their trust, carrying out health checks and answering all their questions related to their well-being.
Lin started working for the NHS as a nurse in 1992 and joined the council and local health service in 2000. Lin and her colleagues have been working hard to make changes to the healthcare service for looked-after children in Hammersmith and Fulham, with an approach that extends beyond supporting the day to day health needs of the young people, and looks at overall well-being.
“We have made some key improvements to the service. Each young person now has one dedicated nurse who supports them throughout their journey through care, providing them with continuity,” says Lin. “The feedback we get from young people is constantly helping to improve the service.”
H&F Council cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Helen Binmore, said: “This is a wonderful tribute to Lin and we are very proud of her. Lin and the nursing team do a fantastic job with the children, many of whom do not have the easiest start in life, and their support makes a real difference to our young people. I wish her all the best and will be keeping my fingers crossed for her.”
The House of Lords’ Appointments Commission will assess all nominees against set criteria, including contribution made in specialist areas and the ability to take part in wide-ranging issues. A decision is expected by the end of next month.
