NHS Heroes: Patients full of praise for nurse who has made a big difference to their lives

Specialist nurse Joan Higgs has a gift for knowing every one of her patients by their first name – even before she has met them.

"She is a marvel," said Barbara Morgan. "I just can't praise her enough. The first time I met Joan she said, 'You must be Barbara' and I was instantly so relieved."

It is a touch valued by all those she cares for and goes some way to explaining why Mrs Higgs, 66, is a finalist in the Yorkshire Post NHS Health and Social Care Hero of the Year Award 2010.

"It's a mark of respect, and because you like them you just remember their names," said Mrs Higgs, who started working as a nurse 50 years ago. "We deal with a lovely group of people. I love 'em to bits."

Mrs Higgs became a specialist sister in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 1997, as a member of a ground-breaking pilot scheme. Such was her success, there is now a six-strong team at Northern General Hospital, part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, focused on dealing with the crippling disease.

Mrs Higgs created a monthly social gathering of COPD patients called Breazers Club, which is where Mrs Morgan, 78, a retired admin worker for Bassett's confectionery, met her.

"The social side is so good for people," Mrs Morgan said. "When my husband died nine years ago, I lost all my confidence. The day I walked into Breazers I became a new person with Joan – and I'm not the only one."