A St Helens nurse dedicated to providing care to patients in the community has earned a coveted Queen’s Nurse Award.

Lesley Harrison, a community nursing lead at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, is one of a handful of nurses across the country to receive the special recognition in honour of her high standards of practice and patient-centred care.

The Queen’s Nurse is a prestigious and historic title which is given to nurses who are delivering and leading outstanding care and is awarded by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).

The title is open to registered nurses with more than five years’ experience working in the community. Managers and patients provide feedback about applicants, which is assessed along with their application.

Lesley, 46, said: “I absolutely love the job I do and it was amazing to receive the award.

“It was such an honour and the award ceremony itself was amazing.’’

Sue Redfern, Director of Nursing at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted that Lesley has been honoured with this esteemed title. Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, so this is a thoroughly deserved award which highlights Lesley’s exceptional individual contribution to patient care and the outstanding commitment of our nursing teams to the communities they serve.”

Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI said: ‘On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Lesley and welcome her as a Queen’s Nurse.

“Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country. The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.’’

The QNI supports leadership, innovation and best practice in order to improve care for people, their families and the communities they serve.