A NURSE who went beyond the call of duty to help a baby with serious eczema has won a major accolade for her outstanding care.

Grateful mum Sarah Atridge nominated nurse Hayley Taylor for the Eczema Society's Healthcare Professional of the Year Award, for the care she provided her baby son James.

Sarah, from Brockholes, said: "Hayley was a constant source of support, always smiling and compassionate towards James.

"She listened and understood our situation and when at times I felt like giving up the treatment Hayley encouraged me to stick with it."

James was first referred to the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust's community nursing team when he was just 14 months old.

Sarah had tried various treatments for her son's eczema but none of them seemed to help like Hayley did. James is now two years old and almost clear of his eczema.

National Eczema Society chief executive Margaret Cox explained why the paediatric nurse caught the eye of judges.

She said: "Hayley's warmth and caring approach towards managing her patients eczema really stood out.

"She clearly demonstrates commitment, understanding and a genuine skill in managing and treating eczema, which is incredibly important to our members who are struggling to manage their own, or their child's eczema."

Hayley said: "I was surprised when I heard that I had won. The most important thing to me is that James is a much happier toddler now and that he is less irritated by his eczema."

Hayley will be presented with her award in recognition of her contribution in caring for children in the local community at a special ceremony in Portland Place, London next Saturday.