Sixteen of the Northern Care Alliance’s community nurses working across Greater Manchester have been awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) by the Queen’s Nursing Institute.
The title of a Queen’s Nurse is awarded to registered nurses, health visitors and midwives with at least five consecutive years’ experience working in the community, primary care or social care setting who have demonstrated a high-level commitment to improving patient care and nursing practice through clinical practice and delivering learning and leadership.
The full list of Queen’s Nurses includes:
| Susan Abbott | Claire Baldwin |
| Natalie Chambers | Patricia Darley |
| Ruth Haas Eckersley | Sharon Hollister |
| Lisa Fern | Phillipa Frain |
| Lisa Gilchrist | Petra Hayes-Bower |
| Tracey Kenyon | Marie Kissack |
| Karen McCann | Andrea Morris |
| Gwen Nash | Alyson Wadsworth |
Our community nurses will be recognised and formally receive the honour in November during a special ceremony in London.
We spoke to a couple of our colleagues after they found out the news.
Ruth Haas Eckersley
Ruth Haas Eckersley
Ruth is a registered specialist community public health nurse (health visitor) in Rochdale with a background in primary care and community.
She works with families expecting or with children up to the age of five, with a focus on maternal and family mental health, the transition to parenthood, breastfeeding, healthy weight, and nutrition.
She said: “I enjoy being able to make a difference and am passionate about caring and supporting people within their communities.
“I am so proud that I have been given the title of Queen’s Nurse, which will open doors and provide exciting opportunities to make an even bigger difference and impact. I am looking forward to being a part of an amazing community, sharing my passion for excellence in all health visitors do.”
Gwen Nash
Gwen has been lead nurse for the District Nursing Service for four years now and started the role at the beginning of pandemic.
She has been a nurse for 31 years and joined Salford 24 years ago as a community staff nurse a job, she knew instantly was the right one for her.
She said: “I am passionate about the district nursing service, and absolutely love my job! There is nothing better than seeing patients at home with their families and for a brief time taking a deep dive into their life, struggles, achievements, and successes. We become part of their family.
“My role has changed over the past 24 years in different ways and now managing the service I can share my knowledge and experience and continue to drive high standards of care.
“I am delighted to receive the award, it is a great achievement for me, a great honour and opportunity to come together with other community colleagues and share ideas, learn and strive for excellent patient care."
Gwen Nash