National recognition for Barnsley nurse

A health visitor from Barnsley has been nationally recognised for her work to provide an inclusive and supportive health visiting service to vulnerable, hard to reach families in the district.
Kate Markham made the shortlist of ‘Celebrating Public Health Excellence 2016’, which celebrates unsung public health heroes who make a difference every day to health and wellbeing in their communities.
Kate has been central to Barnsley’s roadside outreach early years service, a programme run jointly with local authority colleagues for the traveller community. The programme allows for families to be assessed quickly in order to identify their health and educational needs, and builds positive relationships with health, education and early years services.
The service also signposts families to resources within the community.
In recognition of her work, Kate attended a special celebration lunch in London with the Minister for Public Health, Jane Ellison MP.
Kate said: “When children are travelling through the borough, they don’t always access the full health care and support they need.
“Since my role was introduced two years ago, we now have the professional team and resources to respond, build trust and manage relationships with families who may visit the borough again. It means families have a consistent link with health and early years services, working towards the best possible outcomes for children.
“When I found out I’d been chosen to attend the celebration event, I felt amazing. It’s really nice to be recognised for the hard work and time I’ve dedicated to my role over the last two years.”