A compassionate nurse who looked after a Hampshire mum and then inspired her to embark on a new career caring for people has been nominated for an award.

Caroline Atrill ditched her job as a receptionist and now works caring for elderly and vulnerable people thanks to the dedicated care she received when she was a patient at the city’s Princess Anne Hospital.

That is why the 26-year-old has nominated 'inspirational' nurse Gemma Pearson for the Daily Echo’s Hospital Heroes Award.

When the mum-of-two was staying on the Bramshaw Ward on Christmas Day, it was Nurse Pearson who was there for her every step of the way, comforting and reassuring her as she ached to spend the festivities with her children and when she felt ashamed of having a catheter.

Since then she has had several more operations, relating to the initial surgery to remove a cyst, and every single time Nurse Pearson has been there, whether she was forgoing her breaks to give her medication or visiting Caroline on the day she was due off on holiday.

Caroline, from Marchwood, said: “I just want her to know that she really has had an impact on my life and I want to thank her for that.

“She needs to realise what a good job she does.

“She really went above and beyond for me and everyone else that she treats. She inspired me to get into the caring profession because I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, just like she has in mine.”

Daily Echo readers had the opportunity to nominate anyone employed by the trust which runs Southampton General Hospital, the Princess Anne Hospital and Countess Mountbatten House, as well as some services at the Royal South Hants Hospital.

Nurse Pearson said: “I am really shocked to be nominated for this award but it is nice to be recognised for the work I have done.

“It is not just me, though, it is the whole team that I work with that helps me do the job as best I can. I am really glad to hear that I inspired her to get into the caring profession.”

Nominations have now closed.