PAMELA Redford may very well owe her life to the rheumatology team at Warrington Hospital.

For as well as providing first class care and support for her condition it was thanks to their diligence that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

So it was without any hesitation that the 52-year-old, from Lymm, nominated the department for a Healthcare Champions Award.

The awards, run by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, took place on Wednesday, and the Warrington team received their award in recognition of the excellent support and care they provide to people living with rheumatoid arthritis in the town after being recommended by Pamela.

She said: "I have so much to thank them for that I just had to nominate them for the award as soon as I heard about it "I have been a patient there for 10 years ever since I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my 40s.

"They have provided exceptional service, are always on the ball and very thorough. It was because they are so diligent that I was referred for a mammogram, which revealed that I had breast cancer.

"I owe them so much and this was just my way of saying thank you. It's a very small and friendly department and they are very supportive.

"I am delighted that Dr Salih and his team have received the award.

"Ever since I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, they have provided me with fantastic support and advice, excellent care and been there to help me live with this difficult disease."

The team received their award from the Rt. Hon Theresa May MP, NRAS patron and shadow leader of the House of Commons, at an awards ceremony hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Inflammatory Arthritis at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

It is the first time that health professionals working in the area of rheumatoid arthritis have been nominated for awards by the patients themselves.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly painful disease that can cause severe disability. It affects mainly the joints but can impact on other organs.

The condition can shorten life expectancy from around six to 10 years and can have a major impact on a person's life.

Forty two per cent of patients are registered disabled within three years and four fifths of patients are moderately to severely disabled within 20 years of diagnosis.