Local nurse receives prestigious Queen’s Nurse award

Elizabeth Hall, who is Professional Lead in the Continuing Healthcare team at NHS West Essex CCG, gained the award in recognition of her dedication to community nursing.

The title was re-introduced by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) in 2007 to promote the highest standards of patient care in the community.

Elizabeth, who has lived in and around the west Essex area all her life completed her nursing training based at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill under the University of Surrey.

She returned home to work in the Princess Alexandra Hospital completing their newly qualified development programme rotating around different hospital wards.

She said: “I had always believed my heart belonged in community nursing and in 2004 I was fortunate enough to be supported by East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to complete the Specialist Community Nursing course.

“I qualified as a District Nurse and secured a position as a Community Matron in East Hertfordshire. In 2008, a new challenge beckoned as I wanted to learn new skills and a secured a position working in the Essex base of NHS Direct.

“In 2009 I had the opportunity to develop a skill learnt within community nursing as a Nurse Assessor for NHS Continuing Healthcare at Mid Essex CCG. This led me on a 10 year adventure through various changes in Continuing Healthcare as well as the PCT to CSU to coming to work at West Essex CCG. My initial role was to undertake case reviews, before successfully applying for my current post as Professional Lead for the CHC team.”

After finding out she was successful, Elizabeth attended the awards ceremony in London last week where The Queen’s Nursing Institute presented her with her award. She said: “I feel very proud and honoured to have been given this award. My role is incredibly rewarding and challenging.”

Elizabeth is the second nurse at the CCG to hold the Queen’s Nurse title, with the Director of Nursing and Quality, Jane Kinniburgh having been awarded the title in 2015.

Jane also attended the ceremony. She received an extra award for completing the Queen's Nursing Institute Executive Nurse Leadership Programme. The programme aims to equip nurses working in senior community roles. Its purpose is to raise the profile, voice, value and influence of community nursing in both national policy and local delivery of community services.

Dr Rob Gerlis, Chair of NHS West Essex CCG said; “We are delighted to learn of the Queen’s Nurse title being given to Liz Hall. Her experience, commitment and support to all her colleagues and patients is remarkable – huge congratulations.”