Pinoy gets Barchester's Nurse of the Year award

Ridel Francisco proudly holds his trophy and plaque after being recognised as the Nurse of the Year at the 2018 Barchester Care Awards. Photo courtesy of barchester.com.

Filipino nurse Ridel Francisco made the country proud when he recently received a prestigious award in the United Kingdom.

Francisco, who works at Lynde House in Richmond, was recently recognized as the Nurse of the Year at the 2018 Barchester Care Awards, besting some 1,500 other nominees, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

"I am very proud and very honored to be receiving this award," Francisco told the Richmond and Twickenham Times.

"We work hard here at our home with a focus on the people we care for, and not for accolades. But it really is very special to be recognized in this way.”

The awards celebrate staff and volunteers who go the extra mile in caring for residents and patients living in care homes and mental health hospitals.

One of the judges for the Nurse of the Year category, Julia Atherton, said Francisco's "ethusiasm at Lynde House keeps his team on their toes and they’re all the better for it."

"Always learning and improving, but never short of time for any resident in his care, Ridel’s sensitive yet hands-on approach demonstrates the high standard of care he sets on himself, which is nothing short of exemplary," added Atherton.

For his part, Philippine Ambassador to London Antonio Lagdameo said Francisco's recognition "proves that indeed, Filipino nurses are among the world’s best." —KBK, GMA News