Two nurses at the Royal United Hospital are in the running to win a national health competition.

Senior charge nurse Simon Andrews and junior sister Lisa Brown have both been shortlisted for the Nursing Standard Awards, which recognise and reward excellence in the profession.

They were chosen from hundreds of entrants and are down to the final two in their categories.

Simon has been nominated for the ward sister award, which recognises outstanding ward leaders who excel in delivering high-quality patient care.

He has played a big part in joining two wards together to become a single trauma unit, uniting teams as well as introducing a series of initiatives to improve patient safety and care.

Simon said: "I'm a bit shocked, but obviously really pleased to be nominated. It's nice to feel so valued and to be recognised in such a way."

Lisa has been nominated for the professional forums general award, which is given to the nurse who has best developed nursing policy or practice in their speciality area.

She introduced the Think Pink initiative, a system to deliver care that aims to reduce the number of patients getting pressure ulcers.

The initiative is widely used across the RUH, and has also been discussed in other hospitals in the UK and in the USA.

Lisa said: "I'm very proud to have been nominated but still can't believe it. It is amazing and I do hope I do the RUH and my team proud."

The pair were nominated by their manager, matron Julie Stone.

She said: "The awards offer a unique opportunity for individuals and teams to be identified for their achievements, to promote best practice and to share important innovations within nursing.

"We are all on tenterhooks at the moment, and we are keeping everything crossed that Simon or Lisa will be successful. They are already winners in our eyes."

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in March.

Each winner will receive £1,000, and another £2,000 if they win the overall Nurse of the Year award.