A nurse who improved learning disability services at NHS Forth Valley has been shortlisted for a prestigious UK award.

Norah Quinn, Interim Lead Nurse for Learning Disability Services

Interim lead nurse for learning disability services Norah Quinn enhanced access to annual health checks through primary care, developed a learning disabilities advanced nurse practitioner post, revolutionised data collection and improved training in trauma across health and social care partnerships.

She has been selected from hundreds of entries as a finalist in the Learning Disability Nursing category of the RCN Nursing Awards 2022.

She will find out if she has won at a ceremony on Thursday 6 October at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London.

The RCN Nurse of the Year 2022 will be selected from all the category winners and will also be announced at the event.

Ms Quinn said: ‘People with learning disabilities have the potential to live a full healthy life with the same rights as other people. There is a need for specialist, skilled nursing support if we are to achieve this.

‘The Forth Valley learning disability nursing has been either too embarrassed or has not actively sought to promote themselves or each other.

I have worked hard to encourage this change as learning disability nurses are a highly skilled bunch and it’s time to show that. To be considered by the panel as a worthy finalist is down to the work this team has done.’

Anne Cook, Service Manager, Specialist Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, NHS Forth Valley said: ‘I am delighted to hear that Norah has been chosen as a finalist in the Learning Disability Nursing category of the RCN Nursing Awards. She is extremely passionate about learning disability nursing and makes sure it is at the forefront of every discussion. Norah is also keen to consider any new developments to improve services and always encourages her staff to reach their full potential. She is a great asset to NHS Forth Valley, a true professional and very deserving of this achievement.’

RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: ‘This shortlist showcases the very best of nursing and highlights the work we do day in, day out to improve the health and well-being of our patients.

‘I am so proud of all of these finalists.’

The Foundation of Nursing Studies is the event’s charity partner. Its chief executive and chair of the awards judging panel Joanne Bosanquet said: ‘The quality of entries again this year was so high and it was near impossible to choose our finalists from the creative and innovative work submitted.

‘The shortlist showcases excellence and recognises the enormous difference that nurses make to people’s lives throughout the UK.’