A Children’s Community Nurse has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN), in recognition of her excellence in practice and promotion of children’s nursing through the use of social media.
Becky Hepworth is the latest to become a Queen’s Nurse on the Isle of Wight. The title, given by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), is not an award for past service but indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.
She was nominated for the title by Kath Evans, NHS England’s lead for Experience of Care, after she followed Becky on Twitter and was impressed by her use of the medium to promote the work of children’s nurses and encourage professional development. Becky’s work to develop palliative care and hospice facilities for young children on the Island also led to the nomination.
Becky received the award from Viv Bennett, Public Health England Chief Nurse and Government Principle advisor on Public Health. Becky said:
“I am one of only a few Children’s Community Nurses that have received a Queen’s Nurse Award. I am hoping that I can help work to increase the profile of Children’s Community Nursing, the importance of the work we do and work with the national agenda to address challenges that we face throughout the country.”
The Isle of Wight’s Queen’s Nurses will meet every six months to review nursing issues and good practice against the national picture and report back to the Queen’s Nurse Institute.
Sarah Butler, Matron for Children’s Services, said:
“This national recognition is extremely important for nursing on the Isle of Wight, and particularly Paediatric nursing, which struggles to find a national ‘voice’. The Paediatric Department is hugely proud of Becky for the work she undertakes, in her spare time, to promote Paediatric Nursing in the community – she deserves this prestigious accolade.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Dr Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the QNI added:
“Congratulations are due to Becky for her success. Community nurses are expert professionals who make a vital contribution to patient health and wellbeing every day. As a national charity the QNI can support them in delivering excellent patient care in their local communities. The Queen’s Nurse title is a key part of this and we would encourage other community nurses to apply”.
