A LOCAL Marie Curie nurse has won a national award for the care he provides to those living with a terminal illness.

Sam Clements, outpatients and day therapy nurse manager at the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth, Cardiff and the Vale, won the award at the Peacock Awards this week.

The annual ceremony was held at the Royal College of Nursing in London on Tuesday evening.

Mr Clements won the innovation category which recognised his involvement in the launch of an Advance Care Planning Café at the hospice.

Advanced Care Planning aims to reduce and avoid unnecessary admissions to A&E at the end of life in order to support people who wish to remain at home.

Having been involved in a Death Café, Sam used a similar model to launch the Advanced Care Planning Café, creating a positive and protective environment for patients and carers to speak about their future plans.

Death Cafés operate as social spaces where people can discuss death with the purpose of raising awareness and understanding of mortality.

The nationwide awards, now in their seventh year, were set up in partnership with The Peacock Charitable Trust, who are a long-standing supporter of Marie Curie.

The awards celebrate both teams and individuals who are nominated by their colleagues for consistently showing commitment to delivering care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.

Mr Clements said: “It’s a complete honour and I really didn’t expect to win. I’m in complete shock. All the nominees were amazing and I’m really proud of the café and its success.”

Julie Pearce, chief nurse and executive director of Quality and Caring Services, said: “We all had a fantastic time at the Peacock Awards last night and it was an honour to present Sam with the Innovation and Improvement award for all of his hard work throughout the year.

“The awards are an opportunity to bring together exceptional members of Marie Curie staff.

“Every year we recognise the incredible contributions they make in providing care and support to so many people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.”

Marie Curie is a UK wide charity which provides end of life care for people who are suffering from terminal illness and support for their friends and family.

The Penarth Hospice will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in March.

If you would like to find out more about the charity, visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk

Alternatively, you can call: 0800 716 146.