A NURSE from Inverclyde has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.
Gemma McGregor, clinical nurse specialist team lead at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, was selected earlier this year to take part in a nine-month development programme run by the charity Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
After completing the programme successfully, Gemma was awarded the Queen’s Nurse title along with 17 other community nurses at a ceremony on Friday (28 November) evening in Edinburgh.
The programme consists of residential and online workshops plus individual coaching sessions. Participants choose an issue for development which will have a significant impact on those they care for, so that the learning during the nine months is applied in practice. There is an expectation that this work will have a focus on promoting health equity and inclusion.
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 to provide care for the ‘sick poor’ of Scotland’s communities.
QNIS organised the training of district nurses in Scotland until the late 1960s. Nurses who qualified from the Institute were known as Queen’s Nurses, who 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.
The Queen’s Nurse title was reintroduced to Scotland in 2017, with around 20 community nurses and midwives chosen each year to embark on the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme (QNDP). There are now almost 200 contemporary Queen’s Nurses working across Scotland.
Dr Sarah Doyle, QNIS chief executive and nurse director, said: “QNIS is delighted to award the Queen’s Nurse title to these fantastic nurses.
“Community nurses and midwives occupy a unique position, working as they do in the heart of communities, championing the cause of those who are marginalised, helping those facing real adversity.
“They do vital work, every day. The Queen’s Nurse Development Programme supports participants to build their confidence, inspiring them to find and lead creative responses to the challenges they face, and to improve the provision of health and social care in Scotland.”
