Sky’s coverage of the pandemic was described by judges as a “must watch during these difficult times” and included reportage that had “offered insight into the lives of ordinary people”.
The reports led to Sky News journalist Nick Martin winning the coveted specialist journalist of the year prize.
Judges said that he had “brought to life the human dramas” in his moving accounts of people in care homes, and their family struggles, through this difficult year, but crucially, he had also “held politicians to account”.
In his acceptance speech at the Awards, Nick Martin said:
“We couldn’t have told this story without Nicola Richards who right at the start of the pandemic knew that something wasn’t right. She had the courage to let us tell the story. Her and the staff fought so hard to keep residents alive”.
The news comes after Palms Row director, Nicola Richards, was commended for speaking out with a nomination at the Covid Comms Awards.
Nicola Richards commented:
“The care sector across the country recognises that Nick Martin’s reports on the crisis facing our care homes forced the government to act and take our sector seriously.
“ One lasting legacy from the crisis will hopefully see local and national governments no longer treat care homes as the Cinderella sector.”
Campaign Collective Member Louise Akers helped the Palms Row Health Care team tell their story to the media and added:
“It’s been a privilege and an honour to support the amazing staff and residents at Palms Row and help get their stories heard by the media during the pandemic. This had a direct impact on ensuring the government took action on the unfolding crisis in care homes.”