“ANGELS in disguise” – that's how one grateful patient described nurses honoured at the Director of Nursing Awards 2012.

More than 200 people filled a marquee at Oakley Hall to see nursing staff win awards for the commitment, dedication and care shown to their patients.

The heart-warming ceremony, now in its seventh year, honoured staff at the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes hospitals in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester.

Patients nominated nurses for awards and a panel of judges picked the winners.

Donna Green, right, director of nursing at the trust, told the nominees: “I have a great sense of pride and a big box of tissues when I read the nominations as they come through, knowing that you are delivering the best quality of services for our patients.

“For many of you, it isn't anything special, as you take it for granted, but what you will hear tonight is the huge impact this has on the individuals and their family that you care for.”

Mrs Green read out citations from many patients, one of whom called a team of nurses “angels in disguise”.

Staff at Basingstoke hospital had a particularly memorable night, winning outright six of eight categories available and sharing ano-ther with the Royal County Hamp-shire Hospital, in Winchester.

Winners included Jon McGarry, a charge nurse at Basingstoke hospital. John Sayers nominated him for the care he gave his wife Claire after an emergency Caesarean section on October 12 last year.

The audience heard the nurse took pictures of the couple’s new-born twins and printed them off for Claire, who had to be whisked off to the intensive trauma unit following the birth.