Two nurses from NHS Forth Valley have been awarded the prestigious title Queen’s Nurse.

Colette Fotheringham, team leader of the Children’s Community Nursing Team and Laura McCann, Community Learning Disability Charge Nurse, were both selected to take part in a 9 month development programme run by The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland.

Colette’s nomination described her as a transformational leader for raising the profile of staff and championing a culture change within the service. It said she had gone above and beyond by integrating the paediatric day care and community children’s nursing services, supporting children to stay at home, and receive exceptional care in the community.

Collette said: “I am very grateful to have been nominated and given the opportunity to be on the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme and I am honoured to be recognised as a Queen’s Nurse. The last nine months have been inspiring, challenging and fun, and using the tools and knowledge provided on the programme I will continue to support and inspire the amazing team I work with to provide excellent innovative care for the children, young people and families of Forth Valley.”

Laura McCann was recognised for her ongoing advocacy with learning disability and her drive to develop the staff and students she supports daily and described her award as one of the amazing experiences of her career so far.

Laura said: “The Queen’s Nurse Programme has supported my development as a leader and allowed me to develop links out with my normal practice enabling me to make a positive difference within our community.

“This is just the start of my Queen’s Nurse journey; I will continue to ensure our team flourish, improve health services for people with learning disabilities and be a catalyst for social change throughout my career.”

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.

However, the decision was made to reintroduce The Queen’s Nurse title 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, representing the range of contemporary community nursing and midwifery roles.

Nurses are selected by employer nomination, and subsequent panel interviews for their clinical expertise and compassionate care.

This year, 20 community nurses were selected to complete the nine-month programme which consists of a week-long residential workshop followed by two further workshops and individual coaching sessions.

The programme requires them to choose an issue for development which will have a significant impact on those they care for, so that the learning during the nine months is applied in practice.

At Friday’s formal ceremony, each nurse received a Queen’s Nurse badge, designed by Silversmiths Ortak, a certificate, and a specially commissioned Harris Tweed sash or tie, presented by Chief Nursing Officer Professor Alex McMahon.

Clare Cable, QNIS Chief Executive and Nurse Director, said: “These 20 exceptional individuals can be deservedly proud of being awarded this prestigious title.”

From the late 1880s, Queen’s Nurses were social reformers who were taking public health into people’s homes to help families take better care of themselves. The modern Queen’s Nurses are building on this proud heritage – sharing this pioneering spirit to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities of Scotland.