Sandra Flynn has become nurse consultant in elective orthopaedic surgery.

Before her appointment, she was clinical nurse specialist in orthopaedics.

Nurse consultants are seen as a key part of the Government's modernisation policy.

They are senior positions, which have to be approved at regional level by the Department of Health.

Sandra, who lives in Upton, was awarded an MSc in professional practice at the University of Chester in 2005 and is entering into her third year of study for a MPhil/PhD entitled 'Patients perceptions of care and caring in a hospital setting'.

Sandra said : "I feel extremely honoured to be appointed to this prestigious post, not only for myself but also for the hospital.

"As well as being a first for the PCT, this is a personal achievement for me and I am really looking forward to developing the nurse consultant role."

Jeanette Kendrick, head of nursing and deputy divisional manager of the surgical division, added: "Sandra has a wealth of clinical and expert knowledge and I'm sure she will continue to make an invaluable contribution to the orthopaedic service at the trust."