FOUR nurses from Devon have been recognised by the Queen’s Nursing Institute for their commitment to patient care.

Vanessa Crossey from NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS NEW Devon CCG), Lisa Baker and Vanessa Hurley from Devon Partnership NHS Trust, and Sam Rosindale from Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust all picked up awards at the charity’s Spring Awards Ceremony this month.

Vanessa Crossey was one of three Devon nurses who received the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

Before joining NHS NEW Devon CCG in October 2014, Vanessa treated soldiers on the front line for 21 years as an army nurse.

Vanessa’s role as lead practice nurse focuses on providing support and advice to commissioners on nursing issues.

For Vanessa, receiving the title means joining a cohort of like-minded community practitioners with a real passion to improve patient care.

Vanessa said: “I’ve been honoured to be able to work with so many people in my time as a nurse and I feel proud to have been able to make a difference.

“It’s great for me and for the other Devon nurses to be recognised on a national level for our commitment to improving care in our local communities.”

Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, funding for projects, opportunities to link with other nurses and a shared professional identity.

Sam Rosindale, who is diabetes lead champion for Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust, also received the Queen’s Nurse Title at the ceremony in London.

Sam said: “I am absolutely thrilled. Receiving the title is a tremendous honour.

“It means an enormous amount to me that my patients nominated me, because they believed I had made a difference to their lives.”

Lisa Baker, who is a learning disability liaison nurse at Devon Partnership NHS Trust and supports people with a learning disability coming into hospital at North Devon District Hospital, also received the Queen's Nurse title.

Vanessa, Sam and Lisa received their Queen’s Nurse Awards from Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England.

Another nurse from Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Vanessa Hurley, was one of only three nurses to pick up the Queen Mother’s Award for Outstanding Service at the ceremony.

The award, founded in 1994, is for those who have given service to patients and the profession over and above the call of duty and have made a particularly distinguished contribution to the health of people in the community.

Vanessa Hurley was one of the first 13 nurses to have received the Queen’s Nurse Title in 2007 and the first learning disability nurse to receive either of the awards.

Vanessa Hurley said: “I’m delighted and proud to have received the award and that learning disability services are getting the recognition they deserve.

“I’m lucky to work alongside such dedicated colleagues, who all deserve to be recognised for the work they do.”

Vanessa Hurley received the award from Kate Billingham CBE, Chair of the Queen’s Nursing institute Council.

Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the QNI said, “Congratulations to Vanessa Crossey, Sam Rosindale, Lisa Baker and Vanessa Hurley for their achievements.”

“We are delighted that the QNI is able to give these nurses national recognition for their dedication and expertise.

“We look forward to working with all of them to continue improving patient care in homes and communities in Devon.”