How you can vote for your NHS Hero

But there was no need to worry, as Barry, who has Parkinson's Disease, was put in the safe hands of Sister Freda Bruno.

Now her understanding and kind attitude has led to her being nominated for the Yorkshire Post NHS Health and Social Care Hero of the Year Award 2010.

It is a particularly poignant honour as after 44 years of work, the nurse – known as "Sister Bruno" on the wards – is retiring this November.

Mrs James said: "Sister Bruno always had time to come and chat with me and my husband about how everything was going. She would never leave us guessing and was so kind and understanding. She was able to explain Parkinson's Disease to us, helping us not to worry."

The 59-year-old, of Rossington, near Doncaster, is the ward manager of Elm Ward in Tickhill Road Hospital, Doncaster.

"I love my job," she said. "I've always loved my career – the work is really rewarding. I followed my sister to be a nurse but she left nursing and I stayed. I'm a lucky lady. The ward tries to make a difference and we have to be positive."

Mr James, 72, has had the nerve disorder for about 25 years.

It was after he went into hospital last year for a revision hip replacement operation and the wound never completely healed that he was transferred to Sister Bruno's ward in December.

Mrs James, also 72, of Branton, near Doncaster, said: "His condition is complicated. It has been with the exceptional quality of care provided by Sister Bruno and her staff that my husband has returned from being someone I failed to recognise, to being able to hold a conversation and to enjoy television."

She was also impressed by how the nurse managed other staff on Elm Ward and kept up morale.

"She had a positive approach on the ward," she said. "Her colleagues all respected her and I could always tell when she was there as all the staff seemed to do that little bit more."

"She's got so much experience, so it's a shame she's retiring. When I saw the article about the awards, I thought it would help thank her for all the work she's done and for all her expertise and

understanding. She seems to understand everything."

The four other NHS HERO finalists who WERE featured earlier this week in the yorkshire post:

Joan Higgs:

To those in her care, Joan Higgs, 66, is a "marvel". Since 1997 she has been a specialist nurse treating patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mrs Higgs, who started nursing 50 years ago, was part of a ground-breaking pilot scheme focused on dealing with COPD and has set up a social club for sufferers as well as launching yoga classes.

"She devotes so much of her own time to helping people in need," said patient Barbara Morgan, 78. "She is a marvellous woman."

Patricia Larner:

Patricia Larner, of Yeadon, Leeds, has been a support worker for almost 40 years and retired for only two years before getting back on the staff rota.

She works on Ward 4 at The Mount Hospital in Leeds, and was nominated by former colleague Sarah Pearson, 37, of Kirkstall.

The 67-year-old , said: "I love caring for people and especially elderly people. I just do what I do and I don't have to think about it. I've got lots of experience in life. It's just second nature – I love work."

Christine Merrick:

Christine Merrick, a specialist heart nurse who covers three-quarters of East Yorkshire by herself, works hard to keep people out of hospital – and even urges them to ring her at weekends.

She regularly visits patients at home to assess their heart conditions and change medication if necessary, and has also set up a support group for sufferers. She was nominated by patient Jack Terry, 68. She said: "You're a guest in these people's houses and we have got to build up a rapport. I don't want them to go to hospital and they don't.

Kath Surtees:

According to those who would know, Kath Surtees is "extremely committed, extremely caring and extremely knowledgeable".

The 56-year-old works as a Portage home visitor and is a key member of Hawthorn Family Support Centre in Leeds. She offers practical and emotional support to families who have a child with special needs under the age of three.

Rachel Rutherford, 41, whose three-year-old son Alex has cerebral palsy, said: I don't know anyone who works harder."

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