Ten of our nurses have been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) for their commitment to high standards of patient care.
Su Monk, Abi Bartlett, Cath Williams, Kiszy Locke, Amy Williams, Flora Pearce, Gemma Pegler-Sealey, Bethany Head, Ali Wilson and Jolie Young were presented with the award by the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN).
The title indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.
Su Monk, Sirona’s Director of Nursing and Deputy Director for Infection Prevention and Control, attended the annual ceremony alongside fellow nursing colleagues from Sirona. She said: “I am honoured to have received the Queen’s Nurse award alongside many of my colleagues. The title recognises our dedication to improving care for patients, their families and carers.”
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. Managers and patients provide feedback about applicants, which is assessed along with their application.
Bethany Head, Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist, received the title for her work with the Leg Ulcer Forum and Leg Matters Coalition. Bethany has been sharing her expertise with colleagues and helping to improve treatment for people with leg ulcers and related conditions.
Jolie Young, Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse, has worked in community nursing for more than 20 years, qualifying as an infection prevention control lead nurse during the covid pandemic.
Kiszy Locke, Clinical Lead for the Diabetes Service, has been involved in several service improvement projects within Sirona’s Specialist and Support Services to improve support for people with long-term conditions.
Cath Williams, Associate Director for North Somerset and Out of Hours, was honoured for her ongoing work nationally in the bladder and bowel field, her management of integrated network services through a significant period of change and for leading a project to train care home staff to administer insulin and provide treatment for skin tears to residents.
Amy Williams, District Nurse Team Leader, was awarded for leading a project to improve the way new referrals are triaged and enhancing resources provided to people with long-term conditions.
Abi Bartlett, Assistant Locality Manager, was awarded the title for designing and delivering the transformation of Integrated Network Teams in Sirona and her work to improve clinical governance and community care.
Flora Pearce, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, was commended for her commitment to community nursing and her work with the Diabetes Virtual Clinic.
Ali Wilson, Community Nurse for the Urgent Care Out of Hours Team, and Gemma Pegler-Sealey, Community Specialist Practitioner for Long-Term Conditions, were also awarded for their commitment to high quality patient care.
Sirona care & health provides NHS and Local Authority funded adult and children’s community services across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
Sirona’s Chief Executive, Jo Beer said: “I am thrilled ten of our nurses have been awarded for the outstanding care they provide to people across BNSSG.
“The title recognises their passion and commitment to community nursing. On behalf of Sirona, I would like to thank all our Queen’s Nurses for the exceptional work they do every day.”
Mary Lewis, Sirona’s Chief Nursing and Allied Health Officer, added: “As a Queen’s Nurse, I am delighted we have strengthened our QN network within Sirona, the commitment, innovation and professionalism they bring to their work, patients and our communities is outstanding and inspirational.”
The title of Queen’s Nurse is open to registered nurses with more than five years’ experience working in the community. Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity.
