Queen’s Nurse honour for Polly

The Queen’s Nurse honour is awarded to indicate a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.

The coveted national award is presented by community nursing charity, The Queen’s Nursing Institute

Polly from Pendle 
has worked as a continence nurse specialist for seven years and managed the service since 2009.

Prior to joining the trust, Polly was a district nursing sister in Blackburn and Darwen for eight years and before that a community staff nurse in the Ribble Valley.

Her love of community nursing began as a student nurse in East London in the early 1990s.

She said: “Becoming a Queen’s Nurse is a really exciting new phase in my career – it opens opportunities to be part of an organisation where everyone is committed to improving outcomes for patients being cared for in the Community.

“I feel very proud to have been supported by my colleagues to achieve the title ‘Queen’s Nurse’.”

Blackburn resident Angela Graves was the other winner.

The Queen’s Nurse programme is designed for community nurses who want to develop their professional skills and promote the highest standards of patient care. 

Both Polly and Angela are based at Accrington Victoria Hospital.

Angela and Polly’s colleagues and patients gave glowing testimonies about their work to impress the Queen’s Nursing Institute judging panel.

Jane Tancock, Community Division business manager, said: “We are thrilled that Angela and Polly’s significant contribution to nursing has been recognised nationally, and we are so pleased they are part of our team here at East Lancashire Hospitals.

“We deeply value the qualities of clinical nurse leaders and are very proud to have two more Queen’s Nurses among our staff.”

Angela and Polly will travel to London in November to receive their special Queen’s Nurse honours.