Julie Anne Hughes shows her award to colleagues
Julie Anne Hughes shows her award to colleagues

A Lichfield nurse is celebrating after receiving royal recognition for her hard work and commitment.

Julie Anne Hughes, a district nurse from South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) Provider Services was awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse from the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).

The title of Queen’s Nurse is given to individual nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient centred values and continually improving practice.

The title enables nurses to join a Queen’s Nurse group which marks the beginning of a process of leadership and learning.

Mrs Hughes joined community nurses and leading figures in primary care from across the UK at the Queen’s Nursing Institute’s Awards Ceremony in May and was invited to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.

Mrs Hughes, District Nurse Team Leader at Langton Grange Health Centre, Lichfield, said:

“I am honoured to have been given the title of Queen’s Nurse. I am proud to be a district nurse and have the support and help of my colleagues across south Staffordshire. I think the QNI do a great job to recognise the work we do on a day to day basis to provide the best care to our patients in the community.”

Anne Pearson, QNI Practice Development Manager, said:

“Our Queen’s Nurse community is growing and developing all the time. This is a real movement to recognise and stand up to high standards and patient-centreed care in community nursing.”

Mrs Hughes visited Buckingham Palace on July 7 for a garden party but the event was cut short following torrential downpours. She said:

“I am thrilled that I was invited to meet the Queen to celebrate the work of district nurses nationally, particularly this year as we are celebrating 150 years of district nursing. Unfortunately on the day, the weather was so terrible that very few people got to meet the Queen. Despite the rain the atmosphere was brilliant and I still had a very memorable day.”

Stuart Poynor, South Staffordshire PCT Chief Executive, said:

“PCT Provider Services district nursing teams provide excellent care to all our patients in the community and I am delighted that Julie-Anne has been given this honour to represent district nursing in south Staffordshire. I offer my congratulations to her and thanks to all our district nurses for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.