Hartlepool nurse Barbara gets the royal seal of approval

Respiratory nurse specialist Barbara Thompson has been recognised with the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

And she described the honour as “exciting” and something that had given her great satisfaction.

The award is given to community nurses who have shown outstanding commitment to high standards of practice and patient care.

At the same time, they will also have been acting as a mentor to colleagues and student nurses.

Barbara, who works in respiratory in One Life in Hartlepool, will be going to a ceremony in London to pick up the award.

She said: “The title of Queen’s nurse is an honour and the most exciting thing I could achieve. It’s very satisfying that my work in nursing and my role mentoring others has been recognised.”

Since starting as a healthcare assistant in 1981, Barbara has worked in various areas including the emergency assessment unit, coronary care, infection prevention and control, before working in the community as a rapid response nurse and then in respiratory nursing.

The Queens Nursing Institute holds two ceremonies each year where Queen’s Nurses, project leaders, outstanding service award winners, fellows, and others are presented with certificates and honoured at these special occasions.