Queen’s Nurse title awarded to Specialist Health Visitor

Fawn Bess-Leith, Specialist Health Visitor Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, at Newham Council has been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).

The title is not an award for past service but indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.

Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity.

Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Fawn and welcome her as a Queen’s Nurse.

“Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country.

“The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.

“We look forward to working with Fawn and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.”

Fawn Bess-Leith said: “The Queens Nurse title has given voice and credence to my work as a health visitor which is very important to me. 

“The title enables me to showcase the compassion, care, courage, competence and commitment enveloped in my day to day work, as well as the varied skills, knowledge and expertise I possess, equally derived from education as well as first-hand experiences over the past 24 years, as a Nurse, Midwife, Family Nurse and Health Visitor.”

Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Newham Council said: “Supporting parent-infant relationships and maternal mental health has a lasting positive impact on families and this fantastic achievement is a testament to the excellent work happening across the borough, congratulations Fawn.”