First new tram named after nurse award winner

Award-winning childrens nurse Julie Poulter has unveiled her name on the first of Nottinghams new trams at a special ceremony.

Julie, a children's orthopaedic nurse specialist at the Queens Medical Centre, amassed the most votes in a special award scheme organised by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and sponsored by NET.

In recognition of her devotion and care for patients, her prize was to have her name carried on one of the new Citadis trams for the next 12 months and Julie is set to perform the unveiling ceremony at the Station Street tram stop.

NET Marketing Manager, Jamie Swift said: Its a fantastic occasion and Julies name will be on the very first of our new Citadis trams. This is due to enter public service shortly as we gear up for the introduction of a new, more frequent service timetable.

We are proud to have supported the awards which recognised the fantastic contribution nurses and midwives make to our community and, over the year ahead, this special tram will be a constant reminder of their commitment and dedication.

Julie said: It was such a surprise to win Nurse of the Year let alone have my name on a tram! Its such a big honour and I cant quite believe its happened. Its really special to have this recognition, not just for me, but for my colleagues at the Nottingham Childrens Hospital and my family. They are all really excited.

Jenny Leggott, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Nottingham University Hospitals, said: Queens Medical Centre will become the first hospital in the country to have a tram service which will greatly improve access to our hospital for our patients, visitors and staff. We are immensely proud of Julies achievements and seeing her name on the tram means we can celebrate our nurses and midwives with the local community and people of Nottingham.

In total, 22 Citadis trams will be added to the existing tram fleet as part of the networks expansion and Michael Anderson, Project Director for NET Phase Two contractor, Taylor Woodrow Alstom said: Were very pleased that after several months of commissioning and testing, the first of the trams will soon be in public use.

Julie is the sixteenth in an honourable line of Nottingham notables who have had trams named after them, including legendary characters and local heroes such as Robin Hood, Brian Clough, Torvill and Dean, and volunteer Homestart heroine Mavis Worthington.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Councils Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation, commented: Im delighted that a dedicated nurse such as Julie has her name emblazoned on the first of Nottinghams new Citadis trams to come into service.

Julie won her award for the devotion and care she has demonstrated over many years as an orthopaedic nurse caring for children, and I am equally delighted to hear that her son is thrilled to see a new tram named after his mum.

Giving passengers their first chance to ride on the new Citadis tram is a big moment for NET Phase Two, as well as a big moment for Julie and her family.

In keeping with tradition, NET is developing its plans to name all of the 22 new trams and over the coming months members of the local community will have the chance to nominate some of the people who they would like to see recognised. Jamie added: This is Nottinghams tram network and its important we celebrate the contribution certain individuals have made to our city. Whilst there are some obvious candidates, well be working with others, such as branches of the local media, to get more local people involved in the nominations process.