Two Forth Valley nurses receive the prestigious Queen's Nurse Award for their commitment to help others

Colette Fotheringham, team leader of the children’s community nursing team and Laura McCann, a community learning disability charge nurse, were both selected to take part in a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland.

Colette’s nomination described her as a transformational leader for raising the profile of staff and championing a culture change within the service. It said she had gone above and beyond by integrating the paediatric day care and community children’s nursing services, supporting children to stay at home, and receive exceptional care in the community.

She said: “I am very grateful to have been nominated and given the opportunity to be on the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme and I am honoured to be recognised as a Queen’s Nurse.

"The last nine months have been inspiring, challenging and fun, and using the tools and knowledge provided on the programme I will continue to support and inspire the amazing team I work with to provide excellent innovative care for the children, young people and families of Forth Valley.”

Laura was recognised for her ongoing advocacy with learning disability and her drive to develop the staff and students she supports daily and described her award as one of the amazing experiences of her career so far.

“The Queen’s Nurse Programme has supported my development as a leader,” she said. “And allowed me to develop links out with my normal practice enabling me to make a positive difference within our community.

“This is just the start of my Queen’s Nurse journey; I will continue to ensure our team flourish, improve health services for people with learning disabilities and be a catalyst for social change throughout my career.”

Queen’s Nursing in Scotland dates back to the late 19th century, when nurses completed specific training which allowed them to work as district nurses. They provided healthcare and health promotion to people in their own homes and became well respected figures within their community.

Following the introduction of a national certificate for district nursing, QNIS ceased training, awarding the original QN District Nursing title for the final time in 1969.

However, the decision was made to reintroduce the Queen’s Nurse title to Scotland in 2017, with 20 community nurses chosen to take part in a transformational

development programme which would see them become the first modern Queen’s Nurses, representing the range of contemporary community nursing and midwifery roles.

At Friday’s formal ceremony, each nurse received a Queen’s Nurse badge, designed by Silversmiths Ortak, a certificate, and a specially commissioned Harris Tweed sash or tie, presented by Chief Nursing Officer Professor Alex McMahon.

Clare Cable, QNIS Chief Executive and Nurse Director, said: “These exceptional individuals can be deservedly proud of being awarded this prestigious title. From the late 1880s, Queen’s Nurses were social reformers who were taking public health into people’s homes to help families take better care of themselves.

"The modern Queen’s Nurses are building on this proud heritage.”