Resuscitation Council UK reveals winners of inaugural Excellence in Resuscitation Awards

We’re proud to announce the winners of the 2024 annual Excellence in Resuscitation Awards, who have today been presented with a certificate at Resuscitation Council UK's Instructor Day.

The winners are:

• Peter Baskett Mentor Award - Jo Rainsley
• Sam Richmond NLS Nursing and Midwifery Award – Jilly Luck
• Judith George Unsung Hero of Immediate Care Award – Lucy Belson

Designed to honour resuscitation greats who devoted their lives and work to the field, the awards spotlight those currently continuing their legacies.

Professor Andy Lockey MBE, President of RCUK, said: "Congratulations to the winners of Resuscitation Council UK's inaugural Excellence in Resuscitation Awards. Your dedication and tireless efforts have not only saved lives but have also exemplified the true spirit of our community. Your commitment inspires us all to reach higher, to do more, and to never waver in our mission."

Peter Baskett Mentor Award

Jo Rainsley, Resuscitation and Simulation Services Manager

Since joining Resuscitation Services over 10 years ago, Jo has been involved in the selection, recruitment and encouragement of countless resuscitation professionals. She has identified potential in individuals and encouraged them into the specialty, providing support and mentorship. Jo is a mentor to professionals of all backgrounds, giving support to doctors, nurses and AHPs.

Jo is a Registered Nurse and began her career in cardiology before she was offered her first Resuscitation Officer post. Since then, she has become an ALS, EPALS and GIC instructor and a Course Director for ALS and GIC.

In her current trust, where she was appointed into her current role as Resuscitation & Simulation Manager at Northampton General Hospital, she has built an exemplar multidisciplinary team and still finds time to mentor and clinically supervise juniors and peers in other organisations.

Additionally, Jo supports responders as well as educators. Aside from mentoring, guiding and advising new team leaders, she assists with and leads debriefs, taking extra time to bring aside practitioners needing further time after challenging, complex or traumatic events.

Fiona Baskett, Peter's wife, commented: “It is heartening to read her credentials; she is a credit to the resuscitation community and I wish her every success in the future.”

Sam Richmond NLS Nursing and Midwifery Award

Jilly Luck, Neonatal Education Lead

Jilly has shown true dedication to deliver outstanding quality NLS for more than 25 years in the South West peninsula, predominantly Truro, Cornwall.

She is a NLS and GIC instructor who has given heart, body and soul in teaching NLS, from in hospital training to community point of care NLS in the Head of Midwifery’s house. Jilly also delivers NLS to the Scilly isles, where transferring a baby via helicopter to the mainland requires expert training and assistance. Her passion for NLS is shown through her determination to share and teach all of her extensive knowledge.

Liz Richmond, Sam's wife, concluded: “Jilly certainly qualifies as the ideal winner of the inaugural award. I’m hoping the prize will help Jilly to further encourage the importance of NLS training - even more than has already achieved!”

Judith George Unsung Hero of Immediate Care Award

Lucy Belson, Medical Officer

Lucy was one of the first Resuscitation Officers in the country when she took up her post at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford in the early 1990s. She spearheaded developments in resuscitation training at all levels and delivered this with a real passion, inspiring her trainees with the confidence to put in place these skills.

Lucy moved to Cumbria in the late 1990s, where she worked across the county in both primary and secondary care, including delivering resuscitation training to staff in custodial settings. She took a short break from her NHS commitments in April 2000 and flew to Kosovo, working with the International Medical Corps, where she spent several months teaching resuscitation skills and developing frontline medical services in a post-combat zone.

Since her retirement, she has worked with North West Ambulance Service in serving her locality as a Community First Responder but her real focus now lies in supporting England’s busiest Mountain Rescue Team. She has worked tirelessly as their Medical Officer, building confidence with hill-going volunteers in resuscitation and other medical skills with innovative training, sourcing, and maintaining modern equipment - ensuring that nothing is ever left to chance.

Miranda Lambourne, Judith’s daughter, added: “I wholeheartedly endorse her nomination. I think my mum would be thrilled by this. She sounds like an amazing woman.”