Media Release
Date: 12 June 2023
Bath breast cancer support worker wins national award
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) worker who set up a bra fitting service for breast cancer patients following surgery has won a prestigious national award.
Karen Read, who joined the RUH in 2020, scooped gold in the Clinical Support Worker of the Year Award category at the Our Health Heroes Awards, delivered by Skills for Health.
In addition to helping patients who have had a mastectomy or have breast asymmetry get fitted for bras, Karen established a dedicated prosthesis fitting service and has even trained in nipple and areolar tattooing for patients who have had reconstructive surgery.
Speaking at a glittering awards ceremony held in London, Karen said: "It's amazing. It's a lovely achievement, a surprise, but I'm really, really grateful.
"We work as a really close team, and I work with some amazing colleagues. We all have our own part to play, but we all work as one and it's really nice to think that they value what I do.
"The whole team is really behind the awards, and it's helped to give a little bit of happiness into what's been a really long couple of years."
Congratulating Karen on her award, Kate Hope, Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist at the RUH, said: "We are delighted that Karen, who is an amazing member of our team, has been recognised through this award for her incredible hard work and innovation in this role."
The Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards is sponsored by UNISON, NHS England, NHS Employers and more. For more information visit www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards
ENDS