A group of Fife nurses have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.
The trio were selected earlier this year to take part in a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland.
Community mental health nurse Gerry Hastie, ADHD nurse specialist Lyndsey Forsyth and community dermatology nurse practitioner Pauline Buchanan were nominated for providing high quality, compassionate care to people in their community.
After completing the programme successfully, they were awarded the historic title along with 18 other community nurses.
It marks only the second time the honour has been made in Scotland in almost 50 years.
Gerry, Lyndsey and Pauline were selected for their passion and commitment.
Pauline said: “My driving force has always been what is best for the patients.”
Lyndsey added: “A mum once said to me ‘when you find the thing they love, they will just fly’.
“I try to get the message across that children and young people will flourish with the right care and guidance.”
Gerry added: “Being a nurse in the community helps me understand how the lived experience of an individual impacts on their health and ability to adapt, be it relationships, poverty, isolation or accessibility of resources or a combination of these factors.”
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.
Following the introduction of a national certificate for district nursing, QNIS stopped training, awarding the Queen’s Nurse title for the final time in 1969.
However, a decision was made to resurrect the title in Scotland in 2017 with 20 community nurses chosen to take part.
This year, 21 community nurses were selected to complete the programme which requires them to choose an issue which will have a significant impact on those they care for, so that learning can be applied in practice.
NHS Fife director of nursing Helen Wright said: “The title of Queen’s Nurse is a prestigious one and I am delighted that three of our own have been awarded this status.
“Queen’s Nurses set the bar for high quality, compassionate care and it is a source of great pride for everyone in Fife that Gerry, Lyndsey and Pauline have been honoured.”
Scotland’s chief nursing officer Professor Fiona McQueen added: “This year’s Queen’s Nurses exemplify all that is good about nursing and nurses.
“Our Queen’s Nurses are ambassadors for nursing and truly inspirational.”
