Ashley Lawrence was one of 18 nurses celebrated at a ceremony in Edinburgh at the end of November after completing a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
The prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse is a mark of excellence in community nursing across Scotland.
Joining Ashley, health visiting team manager in East Lothian, was Leigh Williams, clinical team lead for district nursing and the bladder and bowel service in West Lothian.
The Queen’s Nurse Award recognises exceptional community nurses who demonstrate leadership, innovation and a commitment to improving health equity.
Originally introduced in the late 19th century, the title was reintroduced in 2017, with about 20 nurses selected annually to undertake the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme.
There are now almost 200 contemporary Queen’s Nurses working across Scotland.
Pat Wynne, nurse director for primary and community care for NHS Lothian, said: “I’m delighted to see both Ashley and Leigh being awarded the Queen’s Nurse title.
“This is a significant achievement for community nurses across Lothian.
“It reflects their dedication to delivering outstanding care and their commitment to improving health and wellbeing in our communities.
“We are incredibly proud of their success and the positive impact they continue to make every day.”