A consultant and specialist nurse from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital have been recognised with national awards.

Eastern Daily Press: Dr Karl Gaffney, consultant rheumatologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hopsital, received an ‘Undercover Hero’ award at the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society’s (NASS) inaugural Patient Choice Awards. He is pictured with South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon who at the event pledged his support for the NASS campaign to ask MPs to pledge support for the implementation of the upcoming NICE Clinical Guidelines for Spondyloarthritis. Photo: supplied by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.Dr Karl Gaffney, consultant rheumatologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hopsital, received an ‘Undercover Hero’ award at the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society’s (NASS) inaugural Patient Choice Awards. He is pictured with South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon who at the event pledged his support for the NASS campaign to ask MPs to pledge support for the implementation of the upcoming NICE Clinical Guidelines for Spondyloarthritis. Photo: supplied by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. (Image: supplied by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital)

Prime Minister Theresa May presented Kit Tranter, lead paediatric rheumatology nurse specialist, with an award on behalf of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society at a ceremony at Portcullis House. Ms Tranter, who is part of a team of 20 specialist paediatric nurses in the Jenny Lind Children's Department, had been nominated as an NRAS Healthcare Champion for her work on juvenile idiopathic arthritis by one of the families she cares for.

She said: 'It made it all the more special to know it was a family who had taken the time to put my name forward. I'm really passionate about the specialist service we provide as the paediatric rheumatology team at NNUH and thoroughly enjoy working with the families who require support.'

Meanwhile Dr Karl Gaffney, consultant rheumatologist, received an 'Undercover Hero' award at the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society's (NASS) inaugural Patient Choice Awards. He was nominated by patients, colleagues and NASS staff and, as chairman of the NASS medical advisory board and NASS trustee, also presented awards to other healthcare professionals. The evening also saw the launch of the NASS campaign to ask MPs to pledge support for the implementation of the upcoming NICE Clinical Guidelines for Spondyloarthritis. South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, attended and committed his support for the campaign.

Dr Gaffney said: 'The event at the Houses of Parliament was fantastic and it was great to be among dedicated professionals who work so hard to raise disease awareness and improve standards of care and research. It was an honour to present awards to inspirational colleagues on the night and I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all those who nominated me.'

Dr Frankie Swords, chief of division for medicine at NNUH, said: 'This is a great achievement for Kit, Karl and the wider rheumatology teams here at NNUH. To be recognised and nominated by those we care for as medical professionals is really special and this is a wonderful acknowledgement of the specialist expertise of our staff and services at NNUH.'