A HEREFORD mother and daughter took home the palliative or end of life care award at the fifth annual Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards, with the pair saying they are "on cloud nine".

The "dynamic duo", Melanie Woodhouse and Becky Tolley of St Michael's Hospice, came out on top for the award, gaining recognition for their hard work to ensure patients receiving end of life care are comfortable and treated with respect and dignity.

Ms Woodhouse said: "We are on cloud nine. It's great to be recognised for doing something we love. To be recognised for just being us is really personal and makes it all so worth it. Especially on the very hard days, it certainly takes its toll when you are such an empathetic person which we both are."

Ms Tolley added: "It's amazing. I can't believe it!"

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The pair also won the overall award for outstanding contribution to health and social care in Herefordshire.

The other finalists were Gwen Walford Care Home and Holmer Court Care Home.

The award was sponsored by Services for Independent Living.