Five St Giles Nurses are celebrating after achieving national care qualifications.

Philippa Wilson, who works in the Day Hospice, and Ann Grain, Lynne Chilton, Elaine Hammond and Emma Payne from the In-Patient Unit, have each gained a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

Sarah Riches, St Giles Hospice Nursing Director, comments: “I am delighted and proud they have been successful in gaining this health and social care qualification.

“Their commitment will enhance the already invaluable contribution they make to the nursing services at the hospice.

“St Giles prides itself on offering staff the opportunity to develop their skills for the benefit of both patients and the organisation as a whole.”

St Giles Hospice is one of the best-known and most respected charities in the region, offering high-quality nursing and medical care for people with cancer and other serious illness, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients’ own homes across the region.

St Giles spends over £5million every year providing its specialist services. With just a third of this funded by the Government, the registered charity relies heavily on donations and fundraising – including proceeds from the St Giles Hospice Lottery and network of 14 hospice charity shops.