Community nurses in Leeds receive top award
Six community nurses working across Leeds have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.
Claire Gray-Sharpe, Lucy Shuttleworth, Suzanne Parker, Matt Peel, Emma Gaunt and Sarah Brownlow join the 13 Queen’s Nurses already working across adult and children’s community services at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
The Queen’s Nurse Title recognises individual nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.
It is awarded by the Queen’s Nursing Institute: a national organisation dedicated to supporting and celebrating community nurses.
To receive the title, nurses must prove that they have over five years’ experience in community nursing and provide written statements demonstrating their knowledge and expertise.
Steph Lawrence MBE, Executive Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and fellow Queen’s Nurse, said: “This is a reflection of the exceptional level of care and dedication our nurses provide to the population of Leeds every day.”
Emma Gaunt, Lead Stoma Nurse has been a nurse for 18 years.
She said: “I feel absolutely thrilled and honoured to have received the Queen's Nurse Title. I feel extremely passionate in providing the highest quality care to our stoma patients within the community and highlighting bowel and bladder conditions and also reducing the stigma of living with a stoma.”
Suzanne Parker (Harding), Community Matron working in the Morley Neighbourhood Team has worked in the community for the past 16 years.
Sue said: “I feel honoured and humbled to receive the Queen’s Nurse title – I keep checking the email to make sure it’s me. I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team providing high quality care to older people in care homes across Leeds.”
Claire Gray-Sharpe works as the Head of Clinical Governance and has been a qualified nurse for more than 12 years.
Claire said: “I'm very excited to become a Queen's Nurse. I've worked with, and have been inspired by, some truly amazing people during my NHS career with Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Locala Health and Wellbeing, including patients, carers, families, and colleagues.”
Matt Peel is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner. He has worked as a nurse for 22 years and spent the last 10 years nursing in Police Custody.
Matt said: “I am very honoured to receive the Queen’s Nurse title and to receive this recognition. I hope this helps promote police custody nursing.”
Sarah Brownlow is a Clinical Pathway Lead. She has been a qualified nurse for 22 years and has worked in the community for 18 years.
Sarah said: “I have worked for the NHS all my career. I am honoured to receive the title of Queen’s Nurse and will use this as an opportunity to continue to champion high quality care for patients in community and make sure that Community Nurses have their voices heard.
“I am currently seconded to NHS England as a Community Nurse Fellow delivering the Annual Community Nursing programme alongside other fellows supporting community nurses.”
Lucy Shuttleworth is a Clinical Transformation Lead and has been a qualified nurse for 19 years.
Lucy said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to be awarded the Queen's Nurse Title. I have worked in the community throughout my career and am excited to join the Queen's Nursing network to continue to champion the voice of our community nurses.”