A health professional described by a patient’s mother as “an angel here on earth” has been honoured as an NHS Hero.

Sarah Craven, a Bradford Teaching Hospital’s physiotherapist who works at the city’s Marie Curie Hospice, was nominated for the award by Alyson Thompson.

Mrs Thompson’s daughter Lisa Marie Blamires received care at the hospice after being diagnosed with a brain stem glioma, a type of tumour, in 2010. She was just 26 when she died in April 2011.

Her mother, Mrs Thompson, of Allerton, said she wanted to sincerely thank Sarah as she was truly inspirational, hard working and encouraging in a kind but firm and positive way.

“Sarah gave my dying daughter her dignity, made her laugh, made her more comfortable and gave her the strength to carry on right until the very end,” she said.

“Lisa Marie very much looked forward to seeing Sarah every week, and every time she was uplifting and truly marvellous. She knew exactly what she was talking about.”

Sarah has worked at the hospice in Maudsley Street for 11 years helping patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Marie Curie’s nurse manager for day therapy, Jean Gordon, said: “Sarah is an extremely valued member of the hospice team, who is committed to giving patients a high-quality physiotherapy service.

“Sarah embodies the Marie Curie ethos of ‘putting patients and families first’ as her approach is always patient-centred and holistic. I am delighted that Sarah has received this recognition today – it is well deserved.”

Chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, Bryan Millar, added: “Sarah’s award is testimony to all that is best about the people who work for our National Health Service. Her honour reflects her commitment and the outstanding compassionate care that she has provided to her patients – all values that we hold dear here in Bradford.”

NHS Heroes was launched in summer to bring recognition to the outstanding effort and work that individuals and teams in the NHS go to every day.