Four Solent NHS Trust nurses awarded Queen’s Nurse title
Four Solent NHS Trust nurses have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.
The quartet honoured include Suzi Graves, an integrated services matron for Community Nursing Southampton, Tracey Tudball, a Clinical Manager for the Lordshill community nursing team, Julie Southcott, Modern Matron for Community Nursing Portsmouth and Helen Ellerby, Specialist Nurse in Sexual Health in Winchester and Eastleigh.
They were given the award by the Queen’s Nursing Institute for demonstrating a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.
They will formally receive their award at an annual awards ceremony in London on Friday 21 June and receive a Queen’s Nurse badge and a certificate.
Suzi, who began her nursing career in 2008, was recognised for leading and developing an enhanced level of patient care.
She said: “I was extremely proud to receive this award. I have been given many opportunities by Solent NHS Trust and supported in my education and leadership along with being given the ability to continuously develop services that deliver enhanced patient care, which I am very passionate about.”
Tracey, who has been in nursing for 25 years and worked as a community nurse for the past 11 years, said she was very honoured to be given the award. It was given to her for her continued excellence in providing community nursing care and commitment to supporting and developing the service in the future.
She said: “It is a great accolade to have one’s contributions to community nursing recognised in this way. It also provides a great opportunity to work with like-minded people to help maintain excellence in the community nursing service.”
Julie qualified as a registered nurse 37 years ago and has successfully completed various programmes such as midwifery, district nurse training and a role as a practice teacher.
She said: “I am proud to be part of the Portsmouth community nursing team and obtaining the Queen’s Nurse title will enable me to continue to raise the profile of the service and of the specialism of Community Nursing. I feel honoured to have my practice and contribution to Community Nursing recognised by the Queen’s Nursing Institute.”
Helen, who started her nursing career in 1978, said: “I am delighted to be awarded the honour of the Queen’s Nurse Award.
“I feel the award is not only in recognition of my work as a community nurse in sexual health over the last 20 years, but also the commitment of the organisation and my colleagues in supporting me to deliver excellent care to all our service users. Without this support I would not be able to maintain exceptional care, learning and leadership.”
The Queen’s Nurse title is open to nurses, health visitors and midwives working in the community who want to demonstrate their commitment to patient-centred values and continually improving practices.
Jackie Ardley, Chief Nurse at Solent NHS Trust, said: “I’m incredibly proud that four of our nurses have been given this huge honour.
“Only a handful of nurses across the country receive this award every year and it is a mark of professional excellence. Their hard work and dedication to nursing has been wonderful to see and is a great asset to the Trust.”