The QNI welcomed four new fellows into the institute at last night's Autumn Awards Ceremony in London.
The QNI welcomed four new fellows into the institute at last night's Autumn Awards Ceremony in London.
Monica Fletcher, chief executive at Education for Health, Claire Goodman, Professor of Health Care Research at University of Hertfordshire, Wendy Nicholson, the Professional Officer, school and community nursing at the Department of Health, and Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, have become fellows of the QNI.
Ms Fletcher, said: 'I am absolutely delighted to be made a fFellow of the QNI. The QNI appears to be going through a lot of changes at the moment and it is great to see that they are incorporating practice nurses, school nurses and health visitors into their agenda.
'This will be a huge opportunity to increase the partnership between the QNI and Education for Health and we are already discussing how to work more closely to improve the ongoing education for community nurses particularly around the area of long-term conditions.'
Ms Nicholson, said: 'I am delighted to receive this fellowship. School nurses, district nurses and general practice nurses are crucial for improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.
'This fellowship is a great opportunity to build on work to date and forge new collaborations. I am looking forward to supporting future developments which will support community nurses.'
Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'I have worked with many inspirational community nurses throughout my career. I have learned much from them and experienced care, patients and people that are indelibly etched in my memory. Community nurses work with people from head to toe, inside and out, and from birth to death. All life is in their scope and every day is different. My blogs on community nursing leave you in no doubt how I feel about community nursing. To be offered a fellowship of the QNI is a genuine honour. To have access to their advice and wisdom can only enhance my role as CEO of the NHS Confederation.'
There are currently 51 fellows and each fellow is selected by a process of nominations by the QNI trustees.
Crystal Oldman, chief executive of the QNI, also presented the Philip Goodeve-Docker Memorial prize to Helen Snelgrove from Southampton University. The prize is presented to top students nominated by the academic team at the 30 universities where the district nursing specialist practice qualification is being offered. Ms Snelgrove was invited to receive the award in its first year because she and Mr Goodeve-Docker both attended Southampton University.
The Philip Goodeve-Docker Memorial Prize was created this year in memory of Philip Goodeve-Docker who lost his life while raising funds for the QNI during a trek across the Greenland ice sheet in April 2013. Over the past year his friends and family have raised over £60,000 to create a permanent fund that will both celebrate his memory and make a lasting contribution to nursing practice.
Viv Bennett, director of nursing at the DH, also presented 80 new Queen's Nurses with their certificates.
The awards ceremony was attended by over 200 nurses and senior figures from nursing and healthcare.