A dedicated nurse is in the running for a major award for ensuring that people nearing the end of their lives are treated with dignity and compassion.

Grandmother Elaine Trott, Senior Nurse and Lead Clinician at the Ely Court Care Home in Cardiff, has been shortlisted as a  finalist at the Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars.

She has been nominated in the Excellence in Palliative and End of Life Care category, sponsored by SilverCrest Care.

The glittering ceremony, sponsored by Meddyg Care, will be taking place on Friday, October 17, at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

The annual event is organised by Care Forum Wales to celebrate the contribution of the “heroes and heroines” work on the front line in social care.

According to Elaine, she was delighted but humbled to be nominated for the award.

She said: “My husband Gareth is super proud. The first person I wanted to tell was my mum but sadly, I lost her last year. Her name was Anita. If I win, the award will be dedicated to her.”

Elaine’s path into nursing began in Bournemouth, where she trained after an early career in the civil service and raising her children.

After seven years working on an acute elderly medical ward, Elaine emigrated to Australia where she worked as the deputy manager of a busy medical assessment unit in Sydney.

Returning to the UK, she continued her career in specialist units before settling in Wales with husband Gareth.

Colleagues say her  clinical expertise is matched by her warmth, empathy, and dedication to the highest standards in palliative and end-of-life care.

Elaine takes a hands-on approach, supporting residents through their final days while ensuring families are informed, comforted and involved in the process.

She works closely with fellow nurses, care practitioners, and international recruits to raise awareness of best practices in palliative care, particularly around communication, medication, and cultural expectations.

The home’s registered manager, Becci Roberts, said: “Elaine’s not just a skilled nurse. She thrives on empowering those around her to be excellent practitioners within their scope of practice.

“Her leadership ensures that care is not only clinically sound, but also sensitive, inclusive, and holistic.

“Her ability to support families during complex or emotionally charged situations is well known.

“In one case, she guided a family through the difficult decision of whether to continue hospital admissions for a frail loved one.

“In another, she helped revise a care plan when a resident with a PEG feeding tube unexpectedly stabilised after treatment was withdrawn. In both situations, Elaine advocated for care that centred on dignity, comfort, and the resident’s known wishes.

Elaine said: “It’s about being honest and open. Having those difficult conversations with confidence and compassion. I’ve always taken the lead with that.”

Outside  work, Elaine is also passionate about fitness, walking and yoga.

She and husband Gareth recently bought a campervan, eager to explore the UK and Europe.

With two children, stepchildren, and  grandchildren, family life keeps her on her toes.

“We’re a busy bunch But I love being a grandmother and being outdoors,” said.

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “Care Forum Wales has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to promote the social care sector.

“We established the Wales Care Awards to show our appreciation to the workforce and the wider sector for the remarkable and vitally important contribution everybody makes, day in day out.

“The event underlines the importance of the social care sector. It is the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission is to be the voice of social care in Wales to advocate on the sector’s behalf, holding truth to power in order to secure a fair deal to recognise the dedication of our front-line heroes and heroines across our nation.

“If you don’t value the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.

“Every single one of our finalists is a winner and will be presented with a gold, silver or bronze award.”