The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) has welcomed 24 extraordinary community nurses and midwives into its ranks.

Following the successful completion of a nine month ‘journey of discovery’, the newest cohort of Queen’s Nurses were awarded their prestigious titles in a ceremony in Edinburgh last week.

The Queen’s Nurse Development Programme (QNDP) consists of residential and online workshops, alongside individual coaching sessions, giving nurses and midwives who work  in the community an opportunity to develop their skills and make a significant impact on those they care for.

Equity and inclusion are considered key tenants of the programme, and candidates are expected to promote this in their day-to-day practice.

Clare Cable, QNIS Chief Executive and Nurse Director, said the 24 individuals can be “deservedly proud” of being awarded their new titles: 

“From the late 1880s, Queen’s Nurses were social reformers who were taking public health into people’s homes to help families take better care of themselves. The modern Queen’s Nurses are building on this proud heritage – sharing this pioneering spirit to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities of Scotland.  

“Their roles vary, from bringing care to those who have experienced significant adversity to supporting people in mental distress or end-of-life care.   

“They represent the geography of Scotland, from rural communities and small islands to concentrated areas within the big cities, but they all demonstrate nursing and midwifery excellence which makes a real difference to the lives of the people they work with." 

Queen’s Nursing in Scotland dates back to the late 19^th century, when nurses completed specific training which allowed them to work as dedicated district nurses.

Following a four decade pause, the Queen’s Nurse title was reintroduced to Scotland in 2017 with a small cohort of community nurses chosen to take part in the new transformational development programme.

Since then, more than 150 modern Queen’s Nurses have been appointed and continue to work in Scotland.

This year, those receiving their certificate, Queen’s Nurse badge and specially commissioned Harris Tweed sash or tie include four candidates working within cardiovascular disease prevention and six who work in care of older people.

This was made possible by funding from the Burdett Trust for Nursing and the Dunhill Medical Trust, while financial backing was received from NHS Lothian Charity and The General Nursing Council for an additional two candidates.

Nominations each year are welcomed from across NHS boards, as well as employers in the  third and independent sector, with all candidates required to be backed by their Executive Nurse Director or equivalent.

As well as the Queen’s Nurse awards, QNIS Fellowship awards were presented on Friday to Fiona Coutts, to acknowledge her immense contribution to the work of QNIS during her time as a trustee, and Kathy Kenmuir, to recognise her ongoing advocacy for community nursing.  

Full list of nurses awarded the Queen’s Nurse title: 

Clare Bates; Amy Borthwick; Helen Bremner; Lynda Bryceland; Lynsey Callaghan; Kirsty Cartin; Fraser Chalmers; Nicki Corrigan; Dana Crawford ; Rosie Crighton; Jena Davies;  Jonathan Davies; Caroline Lilley; Rhona Martin; Rhona McLeman; Annmarie Murphy; Leanne Patrick; Claire Pearse; Chloe Richardson; Kerri-Ann Roberts; Kerys Russell; Mairi Smith; James Sweeney; Jill Wright 

Read more: Where is the accountability in preconception care?; The beautiful trauma of student nursing; LD nurses ask COULD you help?; Health and care jubilee legacies

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News