Duo to be Queen’s Nurses

Hazel Hamilton, of Lockerbie, and Kelvin Frew, from the Stewartry will now take part in a special nine month professional development programme with the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) – the first in 50 years.
At the end of it they, and 18 others from across Scotland, will have earned the right to use the coveted Queen’s Nurse title, a benchmark of professional excellence.
And they will be tasked with promoting health improvement and quality care in their communities.
Hazel has been nursing in Dumfries and Galloway since 1978 and is the senior charge nurse for the Annandale and Eskdale Community Nursing Team based in Lockerbie.
She said: “I have been given an enormous opportunity and this will enable me to influence not only individuals, but local communities to enhance and improve the services that we can provide in an ever changing and demanding environment.
“I don’t really know where this journey will take me, but what I do know is that I will continue to work with people, continue to inspire and to be inspired.”
Kelvin has worked in mental health since 1989 and is the team leader for the Mental Health Crisis Team.
He said: “I was enormously surprised to be selected, with Hazel, as one of the new, contemporary Queen’s Nurses – the first in Scotland for some 50 years.
“The QNIS helps us become the “best version of ourselves that we can be” and approach our work with compassion and courage. I value the opportunity to let people know about the wonderful work that modern mental health nurses do and to continue to try to play my part in the delivery of mental health care in Dumfries and Galloway to the best of my ability.”
QNIS chief executive Clare Cable said: “All the nurses who are taking part in our programme have demonstrated their impact as experienced practitioners and clinical leaders. Now they want to further enhance their professional skills by really making a difference for Scotland’s communities as Queen’s Nurses.”