A NURSING team which helps children in Basingstoke and beyond has received recognition from a royal.

The Hampshire Hospitals children’s community nurse team, based at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester but also covering Basingstoke and Andover, received the award for ‘most inspirational health team’ at the national WellChild Awards in London.

The award was presented by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and recognised the compassion and dedication the team of nurses provide to sick children every day.

The team was selected from hundreds of nominations after several parents of children they cared for, as well as a consultant paediatrician, who acknowledged their willingness to go above and beyond for their patients.

Two members of the team were cited for staying on in their own time when a family asked them to attend an emergency christening for a child whose condition began to deteriorate quickly.

Children’s community nurses support youngsters and their families in the comfort of their own homes, helping them to manage chronic and complex conditions.

The team also met Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, along with the Duke of Sussex. At the event, the Duke said: “You have shown all of us what it means to be a champion – whether for yourself, your family, your community, or someone in need”.

Wendy Green, clinical matron, leads the nine specialists which make up the team.

She attended the WellChild Awards ceremony with four of her colleagues and said: “I am so proud of the entire team for this award and it feels really special to have been nominated by families we have looked after.”

The awards were run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, and aim to celebrate the courage of children coping with serious illnesses or complex conditions, as well as honour the dedication of those who go out of their way to help these children and their families.