Countess of Chester Hospital’s Maria Hughes honoured at prestigious Women of the Year Awards

Maria Hughes, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s first tissue viability nurse consultant, has been invited to the highly respected, invite-only Women of the Year Awards 2025 in London, which takes place later today.

Each year, this event selects just 400 women from across the UK who have made an extraordinary difference in their communities, professions, or causes. The Awards have honoured celebrated figures such as Dame Tracey Emin DBE RA, Myleene Klass MBE, and Juliet Stevenson CBE, alongside unsung local heroes.

Maria is only the second nurse in the North West to hold the specialist role of tissue viability nurse consultant. Since joining the Countess of Chester Hospital in April 2024, she has worked with colleagues to improve wound care – helping patients with complex wounds to heal faster, with less pain leading to a better quality of life.

As a Queen’s Nurse – a prestigious title held by fewer than 1,800 nurses across the NHS – Maria is part of a select group recognised for exceptional commitment to patient care, leadership, and innovation. Having a Queen’s Nurse in-house means the Countess of Chester Hospital benefits from national gold standards, with Maria able to train and inspire colleagues to deliver the very best for patients.

Maria’s leadership has helped bring new ideas and better ways of caring for patients with wounds. Thanks to her and the Tissue Viability Team, the number of patients getting pressure ulcers (sores from lying in bed) in hospital has dropped by 20% in the last year. The team also introduced a new foam dressing, which has helped patients to heal better and has also saved the hospital around £15,000, which can be re-invested in patient care.

Maria is also proud of her previous work with North Wales Police, where she led medical services and wellbeing. She helped raise awareness about men’s mental health and started the UK’s first programme to test police officers for prostate cancer [known as a PSA test]. This early testing has saved lives by finding cancer before symptoms appeared. Maria continues to work with the Graham Fulford charity, which helps police staff get screened for health risks – even if they feel fine. Thanks to her efforts, many of the 43 police forces across the UK now offer these life-saving checks.

Maria said:

"Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of the opportunities I’ve had to make a difference – whether that was championing men’s mental health or setting up the first PSA testing programme in a police force. Each step in my career has been about finding new ways to help people and support colleagues. Being recognised in this way is truly humbling, and it reminds me why I love this profession: it’s about making a real impact, one patient and one team at a time."

Sue Pemberton, Director of Nursing at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“Maria’s appointment marked a real step-change for us and I’m incredibly proud of Maria’s contributions at the Countess of Chester Hospital, and the wider recognition for an amazing career that continues to go from strength to strength. Having an in-house expert means our staff are trained to the highest standards, and Maria’s leadership is helping us to embed best practice across our hospitals. Good wound care is vital for patient safety, patient experience, length of stay in hospital and recovery. When we get it right, patients heal faster and can return home sooner."

Maria concluded: 

"As a Queen’s Nurse, I see every day how much skill, compassion and teamwork goes into caring for our patients. It’s an honour I take very seriously, and this recognition isn’t just about me – it shines a light on the dedication of our whole team here at the Countess of Chester Hospital, and especially my Tissue Viability team. We’re working hard to make a real difference for people with complex wounds, and while change takes time, I’m already seeing the positive impact we can have when we pull together to change and innovate practice for optimum wound healing. For me, it’s about listening, caring, and always striving to do better – because every patient deserves the very best."

Maria’s recognition at such a prestigious national event is one example of the areas of excellence at the Countess of Chester Hospital. It’s a reminder that, while change takes time, the hospital is committed to making improvements and moving in the right direction, putting patient safety and quality of care at the heart of everything it does.

Pictured - Maria Hughes, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s first tissue viability nurse consultant.