Ref. 72628-15 Community nurse Margaret Bisset (right)A SWINDON nurse with a heart of gold has scooped a national award after being nominated by the mother of a patient she has cared for since she was a baby.

Community nurse Margaret Bisset, 51, who cares for people with learning difficulties in Swindon, beat more than 350 entrants to win the Community Nurse category in the Dettol Community Nurse of the Year award.

She will now qualify for the overall title and will be competing against just two others a midwife and a health visitor.

"I was bowled over when I found out. It's just wonderful," said Margaret.

"I guess the biggest thing for me is that it highlights learning disabilities.

"It's an area that I don't think many people know about unless they have a friend or relative with learning disabilities.

"If you are a parent or carer of a child with learning disabilities there are so many problems for you to deal with.

"Sometimes in addition to the learning difficulties they will also have sight, hearing, feeding or behavioural problems.

"It can be absolutely exhausting and very isolating.

"When people imagine having a child they imagine a little blue eyed boy or girl who will eventually go to university then get married and give you grandchildren.

"For some parents of children with learning difficulties they will have to care for their baby for life."

Margaret, who lives in Chiseldon, qualified in 1974 after realising her childhood ambition to become a nurse. As well as her work for the health authority, she set up Respite Opportunities in 1992 an organisation run by volunteers that organises holidays and day trips for children and young people and their carers.

One of the people who has benefited from Margaret's care is Caroline Purnell a 20-year-old with severe epilepsy, who Margaret has cared for since she was six months old.

Caroline's mother Sarah, 47, was so grateful for Margaret's help that she nominated her for the award.

She said: "This amazing woman has had such an impact on our lives as a family. She is always available day and night.

"She has been my counsellor, my friend and she does her job with love and passion."

Margaret said: "I've been caring for Caroline since she was six months old and we have built up a good relationship over the years.

"She cannot talk but she expresses so much emotion through her eyes.

"Often when I visit her she will give me the most beautiful smile."

Margaret has won a £500 study bursary, which she plans to spend studying for a diploma on epilepsy.

If she wins the overall prize which will be announced on October 14 she will receive a £1000 bursary, a £500 donation to her chosen charity and a weekend for two in Europe.

Diane Milne