Countess nurse Maria Hughes honoured at Women of the Year
Maria Hughes, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s first tissue viability nurse consultant, has been invited to attend the Women of the Year Awards 2025 in London.
The highly respected, invite-only event celebrates 400 women from across the UK who have made exceptional contributions to their professions, communities, or causes. Past honourees include Dame Tracey Emin DBE RA, Myleene Klass MBE, and Juliet Stevenson CBE, alongside many local heroes.
Maria is only the second nurse in the North West to hold the specialist position of tissue viability nurse consultant. Since joining the Countess of Chester Hospital in April 2024, she has led efforts to improve wound care, helping patients with complex wounds to heal faster, with less pain and better quality of life.
As a Queen’s Nurse – a title held by fewer than 1,800 nurses nationwide – Maria is recognised for her commitment to patient care, leadership, and innovation. Her appointment has brought national standards of best practice into the Countess of Chester Hospital, supporting staff development and enhancing patient outcomes.
Under her leadership, the Tissue Viability Team has reduced hospital-acquired pressure ulcers by 20% in the past year. The introduction of a new foam dressing has also improved patient recovery rates and saved the hospital around £15,000, which can be reinvested into patient care.
Maria previously worked with North Wales Police, where she led medical services and wellbeing initiatives. She launched the UK’s first prostate cancer testing programme for police officers, encouraging early PSA testing that has since saved lives through early detection. Her work with the Graham Fulford charity has helped extend the initiative to police forces across the UK.
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 added: “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.”
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