Queen’s Nurse titles awarded to two Lincoln health workers

Two Queen’s Nurse titles have been awarded to hard working members of staff at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS).

The title is awarded by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute and is not an award for past service, but indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.

Sylvia Wilkinson, Health Visitor and Community Practice Educator and Leanne McHugh, Practice Teacher at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) have both been honoured with the title.

Sylvia who lives in Lincoln, began her NHS career in 1979 before moving to Lincoln County Hospital.

She took a brief career break when she had her two children but returned to practice in 1987.

Following this Sylvia moved to Bassetlaw Hospital as a health visitor for five years. She came back to Lincoln in 2008. She is now based at the LCHS headquarters at Beech House Lincoln.

“I want to make a difference to the families I work with,” she said.

“I’ve been in the job a long time but I still love it. I do feel privileged to work with such nice families. I’m working towards my masters now.”

Leanne, who lives in North Hykeham, qualified in 2001. She fell in love with health visiting while doing her training. She says she enjoys the education side of the job and trained as a practice educator.

She said: “I wanted to be a nurse from the age of 14. I’m now working on my masters. I’d love to go on to a research programme next.”

LCHS now has 23 Queen’s Nurses within the trust. Leanne and Sylvia will travel to London to attend the official ceremony on Monday, May 9.

Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the QNI said: “Congratulations are due to both Sylvia and Leanne for their success.

“Community nurses operate in an ever more challenging world and our role is to support them as effectively as we can. The Queen’s Nurse title is a key part of this and we would encourage other community nurses to apply.”