Three Solent NHS Trust nurses awarded Queen’s Nurse title

Three Solent NHS Trust nurses have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

Sarah Grainger, Modern Matron for the Portsmouth Rehabilitation and Reablement Team (PRRT); Bethany Carter, Head of Infection and Prevention; and Anthea Thorpe, Integrated Services Matron in Southampton, were awarded the title by the Queen’s Nursing Institute for demonstrating a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.

They will formally receive their title, including a certificate and badge, at an online ceremony on 13 December 2021.

Sarah Grainger began her nursing career in medicine for older people at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Portsmouth in 1988. She worked on the specialist stroke ward, rehabilitation ward and in acute medicine where she became the ward sister for seven years. She then worked with NHS Direct in 2002 as a nurse advisor and trainer, before starting her community nursing career in 2008 as a senior staff nurse for the rapid response team.

She said: “I am honoured and proud to have been awarded the Queens Nurse title. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the excellent care I strive to achieve as a leader in an integrated multidisciplinary service.

“I am so excited I will be a part of the QNI network to share my enthusiasm & passion for the complexities of community care.”

Bethany Carter, who qualified as a nurse in 2005, began her nursing career in the Royal Navy and British Army for 17 years, before she specialised in Infection Prevention nursing in 2011. 

During her time in the Army, she deployed as the infection prevention specialist in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, before moving to Sierra Leone to help tackle the Ebola epidemic. In January 2016, on retiring from the military, she joined Solent NHS Trust, where she currently heads up Infection Prevention at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said: “After such a challenging 22 months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I feel extremely proud and honoured to have been awarded the Queens Nurse Title. As Head of Infection Prevention, being recognised for my commitment to patient care and nursing practice in the community, feels like such an accolade. 

“I dreamt of being a nurse from six years old and I feel like I have surpassed my professional hopes and dreams. I will continue my commitment, my vocation and life’s journey to care for our most vulnerable in society, to keep them safe and free from harm. I hope that I inspire more community infection prevention nurses to apply for the recognition they deserve.”

Anthea Thorpe joined Solent in 2010, having qualified as a nurse in 2006. She has spent her career working within Community Services in the region and is committed and passionate about Community Nursing. Her career to date has seen her working within the Over 75s Nursing Team, Community Diabetes and Domiciliary Phlebotomy service, before being awarded Solent’s Manager of The Year in 2019. She continues to work within Community Nursing and with NHSE on the National Community Nursing Practitioners Network.

She said: “I am delighted to be serving my community, patients, and colleagues under the title of Queen’s Nurse. My Mum and Grandma were fiercely proud Nurses and I cherish this award in their name.

“Community Nursing is challenged now more than ever, and I hope we can highlight the efforts of our team’s contribution each and every day. This title will allow me to champion the endeavours made by Community Nursing and my role within that, I am hugely honoured and delighted to be a Queen’s Nurse.”

Jackie Munro, Chief Nurse at Solent NHS Trust, said: “It is just wonderful that three Solent nurses have been given this significant accolade. Community nursing is an absolutely vital, yet often unseen and unsung, side of the nursing profession and it’s fantastic that the Queen’s Nursing Institute help to give it the recognition it deserves.

“Only a handful of nurses from across the country receive this award every year – so to see three of our Solent nurses receive the title is a clear indication of their dedication and commitment. All three are fabulous role models and I’m so proud that they work for Solent NHS Trust.”