An infection prevention nurse has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen's Nurse by community nursing charity The Queen's Nursing Institute. The title is not an award for past service, but indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.Gale Bull, an infection prevention nurse, based at The Johnson Community Hospital, Spalding is now the 17th Queen's Nurse at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS). "I am very proud to be a Queen's Nurse and to be a part of the fantastic Queen's Nurse Institute network," said Gale.
She was nominated for the prestigious title by three former patients. "It was a real surprise to be nominated but I am extremely humbled and honoured to join other Queen's Nurses who share the same values and are committed to a high level of patient care," added Gale.
Gale's career started in 1989 and she was one of 12 nurses on the very last intake of Enrolled Nurses in the UK. Gale went on to qualify as a registered general nurse two years later. After 19 years in vascular and general surgery, at Peterborough and Stamford Hospital, Gale made the transition to community nursing five years ago. She is currently an infection prevention nurse based at Johnson Community Hospital.
Sue Cousland, Chief Nurse and Director of Operations at LCHS, said: "We are very proud of our growing team of Queen's Nurses at Lincolnshire Community Health Services and they are rightly recognised for the contributions they make to patient care and the development of our future nurses and leaders. We offer our best wishes and congratulations to Gale for her achievements."
Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the Queen's Nursing Institute, said: "Congratulations are due to Gale and her success. Community nurses operate in an ever more challenging world and our role is to support them as effectively as we can."
Gale is looking forward to attending her first Queen's Nurse conference in September and developing her own knowledge.