Mairi Smith, from Great Bernera, Lewis, has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.
The Macmillan advanced clinical nurse specialist at NHS Western Isles successfully participated in a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
Mairi received her award along with 23 other nurses at a ceremony in Edinburgh.
Gordon Jamieson, chief executive of Western Isles health board said: ““Mairi should be very proud, this prestigious award recognises that when individuals and their families are in their greatest times of need, she is there providing care and support throughout these most difficult times.”
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. They 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 20 community nurses chosen to take part in a transformational development programme which would see them become the first modern Queen’s Nurses. There are now over 150 contemporary Queen’s Nurses working across Scotland.
Prestigious Queen's Nurse award presented to Western Isles nurse
29 November 2023