A nurse at the James Paget University Hospital has received a top award for her work in educating the next generation of nurses and medical students.

Sarah Hills, a practice development nurse, has been named as educator of the year in the eastern region by Health Education England.

Sarah has been in nursing for 10 years – and has spent nearly five years at the James Paget after stints at hospitals including Bart's and Great Ormond Street.

She was short-listed for the award after judges were impressed by her nomination, made by a colleague at the hospital.

And a successful presentation on training methods before the judges meant Sarah picked up the award ahead of two other finalists.

'I couldn't believe it when they announced my name,' said Sarah, who received the award at an event in Cambridge

'I get a great deal of satisfaction from my role in education. I particularly love those moments when you see a student progress from not understanding to suddenly 'getting it' – and it is also rewarding when you hear about former students making a success of their careers.'