Director of Clinical Services at St Ann’s Hospice is named Nurse Leader of the Year

Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services at St Ann's received the award in a ceremony in London on Wednesday night

By Cathal Doherty on October 24, 2024

St Ann’s Hospice is delighted to announce that Director of Clinical Services, Emma Dixon has been named the Nurse Leader of the Year at the Nursing Times Awards.  

The Nursing Times Awards are given to individuals who stand out as “truly exceptional and have gone above and beyond what is expected in their day-to-day roles”.  

Emma has over 25 years of NHS acute, private and voluntary clinical and senior operational management experience.  

She received the award as she is a clinical leader who “provides inspiration and is a great example to others, is a clear benefit to her patients and colleagues, recognises and addresses the needs of patients and colleagues, clearly improves care or services, champions the needs of their patients and colleagues, and pioneers new and original solutions.”  

Earlier this year, Emma was humbled and delighted to discover she had been shortlisted for the award when the Head of Clinical Services at St Ann’s Hospice, Emma Barclay, submitted the award application on her behalf.  

Emma is “deeply honoured” to have received the Nursing Times Nurse Leader of the Year Award.  

“It’s humbling to know that my work has been recognised. This recognition reflects not just my efforts, but also the incredible teams I have had the privilege to work alongside,” Emma said.  

This award is a testament to the importance of leadership in nursing, where our collective vision for progress and compassion can ignite real change. I am grateful to be part of a broader movement towards excellence and equality in hospice care. Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services at St Ann's Hospice

“To be described as an ‘inspirational leader’ by the judges is truly humbling. My goal has always been to elevate the profile of hospice care. I hope this recognition encourages others in our field to continue championing progress and compassion.”  

Emma says she feels incredibly fortunate to work at St Ann’s Hospice, an organisation that has a “long-standing reputation for developing healthcare leaders.”   

“The opportunities for growth and learning here have played a pivotal role in my journey. This award is a recognition of the unwavering support and inspiration I’ve received from the entire team at St Ann’s,” she said.  

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Emma Barclay, our Head of Clinical Services, for nominating me for this prestigious award. To be shortlisted among such an exceptional group of nurse leaders was an honor in itself, and to win in such a strong category is truly humbling. This recognition belongs to all of us who are committed to advancing excellence at St Ann’s Hospice.  

“I would also like to thank Rachel McMillan, our Chief Executive and an inspiring nurse leader, who has been a personal role model to me throughout my career. Her guidance and the opportunities she has given me at St Ann’s Hospice have been instrumental in my development, and I am truly grateful for her continued support.  

Chief Executive at St Ann’s Hospice, Rachel McMillan congratulated Emma on her achievement.  

We here at St Ann’s are over the moon that Emma has been recognised nationally for her talents, hard work, and dedication. Emma has been with us at St Ann’s since she took over my role as Director of Clinical Services when I became the Chief Executive of the Hospice in 2020. Emma has been an inspirational leader ever since. She joined us at a difficult time, one month before we went into the first lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic and led the clinical team through that challenging time, and safely out the other side. She has proved time and time again to be an advocate for patients, putting their wishes and needs first which is a value we keep close to our hearts here at St Ann’s. I congratulate Emma on her incredible achievement and long may her inspirational leadership continue. Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive at St Ann's Hospice

Emma says that this award is not just for her but for everybody at St Ann’s Hospice.  

“I am so proud to work at St Ann’s, I absolutely love it, and I truly believe in everything we do. We have an incredible clinical team that I get to work alongside every day and I couldn’t have done this without them,” she said.