By HELEN RAE
A ROYAL stamp of approval was given to health experts in the North East in honour of their devotion to patients.
Kathryn Kain, team leader for Sexual Health Advisers, and Ann Jones, a community matron, were named Queen’s Nurses, by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).
The pair, from Newcastle Primary Care Trust, were just two of nine nurses nationwide to receive the title during the first round of 2008, obtaining their award at a ceremony in London.
Kathryn works in the Genito-Urinary Medicine department at Newcastle General Hospital. She completed a rigorous application process for the award and feedback was also provided by her peers and patients.
She said: “I am delighted to have been awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse.
“I will continue working towards encouraging excellence in practice and innovation and improvements in community health care.”
In January last year, after a lapse of 40 years, the Queen’s Nursing Institute announced the reinstatement of the title of Queen’s Nurse.
Queen’s Nurse is awarded to individual nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient-centred values and continually improving practice.
Ann, of Ponteland, Northumberland, was given the accolade for her work with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
In January 2006, the 54-year-old set up a community chest service, providing skilled help and support for those living with the condition which affects the airways.
Thanks to her scheme, those living with COPD can now have oxygen administered to them in their home and they can also take part in a rehabilitation scheme.
Ann, who has worked in the health service for 38 years, said: “I feel very honoured to be recognised for the work I do in the community.
“As there are not many people given the Queen’s Nurse award I am absolutely delighted to receive it.
“It’s really important nurses are recognised and appreciated for the work they do and I would recommend others to apply for the award.
“I always wanted to work in the community. I enjoy the job I do and it is lovely to be honoured in this way.
“This award recognises the expertise of nurses and it also acknowledges the level of support we give to people in the community.”
QNI director Rosemary Cook CBE said: “Congratulations are due to Kathryn and Ann for their success.
“Community nurses operate in an ever more challenging world and our role is to support them as effectively as we can.
“The Queen’s Nurse title is a key part of this and we would encourage other community nurses to apply.”
North of Tyne primary care organisations’ executive director of nursing, Lyn Dixon, said she was delighted the pair have been recognised for their hard work and commitment.
She added: “They both deserve the title as they continually deliver the very best nursing care and both work with such commitment and enthusiasm.
“The award also recognises their commitment to their patients.”
Last year, nurse Janice Lee, who worked for the North Tyneside Primary Care Trust, and health visitor Sue Spencer, from the Northumberland Care Trust, were named as Queen’s Nurses.
The pair were among the first NHS workers to receive the award.
Janice who worked in stoma care for 14 years, was honoured for helping patients cope with bowel or bladder surgery.
Sue, who had 20 years’ experience as a health visitor, was given the accolade for her expertise on postnatal depression.
(c) 2008 Evening Chronicle – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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