Five of our nurses have received the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse in recognition of their dedication to patient care.
The title is awarded by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) to nurses who demonstrate a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.
Mary Lewis, Chief Nursing and Allied Health Officer; Donna Thomas, Clinical Operational Lead; Claire Pearson, Senior Community Nurse; Sharon Nobbs, School Nurse; and Natasha Lees, North Bristol Locality Clinical Lead, were presented with the title at the QNI’s annual ceremony.
Mary Lewis, Chief Nursing and Allied Health Officer, was awarded the title in recognition of almost 25 years of work within the community in adult and children’s services.
Clinical Operational Lead, Donna Thomas, who manages the Specialist Falls and Care Home Team, received the award for her work on fall prevention and accessible exercise programmes. As part of her PhD, she is researching specific interventions to support ageing well across an older population.
Natasha Lees, North Bristol Locality Clinical Lead, was given the title for her pressure prevention work. This has included educating carers in the community and residential homes about pressure ulcers and how to prevent them, talking to GP surgeries, and holding education events for new staff to enable them to work with patients and families to prevent pressure damage.
School Nurse, Sharon Nobbs received the award for her work to reduce inequalities and reach vulnerable young people and families. Sharon has been running sessions in community spaces, including youth groups, to make the service more accessible and raise the profile of School Nursing.
Claire Pearson, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, was awarded the title for her passion for community and district nursing and her dedication to making improvements to the service.
Sirona care & health provides NHS and Local Authority funded adult and children’s community services across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
Mary Lewis, Chief Nursing and Allied Health Officer, said: “I am delighted to have received this honour for work in the community as this has been my passion for many years, and I am proud to carry this forward as a Queen’s Nurse.”
The title of Queen’s Nurse is open to registered nurses with more than five years’ experience working in the community. Managers and patients provide feedback about applicants, which is assessed along with their application.
Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity.
Sirona’s Interim Chief Executive, Julie Sharma, said: “I am thrilled five of our nurses have been recognised for the outstanding care they provide to people across BNSSG.
“They all play a key role in helping to support people in their own communities and the award is so well deserved. On behalf of Sirona, I would like to thank them for their commitment, passion and professionalism in everything they do. Well done all.”
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI, said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Mary Lewis, Donna Thomas, Claire Pearson, Sharon Nobbs and Natasha Lees and welcome them as a Queen’s Nurse.
“Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country. The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.
“We look forward to working with them and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.”
