A record number of nurses have been awarded the Queen's Nurse (QN) title at a ceremony in London, marking the 125th year of the Queen's Nursing Institute.
Forty-two nurses received the honour last month, the largest single cohort since the title was reintroduced in 2007. It recognises the achievements of nurses who are making real impact in terms of improving patient care in people's homes and communities.
The new QNs received their awards from Professor Jane Salvage, chair-designate of the QNI who will take up the post in August 2012.
At the ceremony, three nurses received the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Award for Outstanding Service.
Claire Aston, senior strategic programme manager and head of complex care for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board in Wales was recognised for developing a dedicated nursing team to manage patients with complex conditions at home.
Joan Myers, nurse consultant at Community Children's Nursing, Islington PCT, received the award for reducing numbers of children being referred to hospital, through preventive health initiatives.
Tessa Fitzpatrick, a Macmillan lung cancer clinical nurse specialist at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust,and one of longest-serving lung cancer nurse specialists in the country, was also recognised.