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In a career spanning over half a century, Rosie Collcott has dedicated many of these years supporting patients receiving cancer treatment or palliative care.

From the early Nineties, this became her true passion for nursing; and her care, dedication and commitment to patients and their families has resulted in Rosie being presented with a coveted Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare award. 

As Lymphoedema Lead Nurse, based at Stamford & Rutland Hospital, Rosie was honoured at the recent North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust Outstanding Achievement Awards at Peterborough Cathedral.

Well-known and much respected by colleagues, patients and their families, Rosie’s 50+ year career has come full circle – having started her nursing career in the early 1970s as a teenage cadet nurse at Stamford & Rutland Hospital. 

On qualifying, Rosie work on the surgical unit, before spending eight years as a bank nurse whilst her children were small.

She says she gained invaluable experience in many different departments, but it was during that time that she found working with cancer patients so rewarding, which led to her role at

the Robert Horrell Day Centre as a Staff Nurse in 1991; joining the centre’s Lymphoedema Service in 1994. 

Lymphoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body but usually develops in the arms or legs. This can be a side effect or cancer or cancer treatment.

Rosie had so much love for the centre, that she chose its Chapel as the venue for her wedding to Martin in 1999, inviting both staff and the patients to share their special day. 

Demand on the Lymphoedema Service over the years has led to Rosie introducing outreach clinics to Wisbech, Doddington and Spalding – as well as creating a patient support group, and proactively supporting education within the Trust and community - all of which to improve the patient experience and outcome. 

Rosie – who is based primarily at Stamford & Rutland Hospital, was nominated for the award by Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist Nicola Gregson. She said: “Rosie really is a wonderful person, and an inspirational nurse and an exceptional role model to future nurses.”

“As a team, we are thrilled that Rosie's commitment, passion, and dedication to her role has been acknowledged, giving 50+ years of service to our hospitals and the NHS.   

Away from work, both Rosie and her husband Martin are actively involved with Macmillan Cancer Support; planning and supporting fundraising events to improve the quality of life and support of those that need the service. 

Rosie said: “I was truly overwhelmed to be nominated, shortlisted, and honoured to win the award. As a nurse I feel in a very privileged position.

"I have met some very special people throughout my career, colleagues, patients, families, carers and friends. I have had some inspirational role models and managers who have believed in me, trusted my judgment, supported my personal and professional development and have been hugely instrumental in my career.

“I wouldn't be successful in my present role without the dedication and support of the team that I work with. The NHS as a whole and my role within it, has been a constant through the good times and the not so good, from a personal perspective it has been a great institution to work for and long may it last.”

Rosie added: “I have been very fortunate to have a supportive family and have never had to justify or apologise for my commitment to my job, this has been incredibly helpful over the years. A huge ‘thank you’ to Nicky for nominating me for the award, and to all the people during my NHS journey who have been instrumental in my achievement.”