Rochdale matron is named as Queen’s Nurse

Photo: Kate Stanworth

Samantha Clawson

A Rochdale community matron has been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

Samantha Clawson who has over 19 years’ community experience, has been a community matron in the Rochdale West integrated nursing team for a year.  Prior to this she was a district nursing sister in Middleton and Rochdale.

The title of Queen’s Nurse is available to individual nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.  Samantha’s manager and two of her patients had to provide feedback about her as an individual and about her work.

All nurses, health visitors and midwives with five years’ experience of working in the community are eligible to apply.

Samantha said: “I feel honoured to receive such a prestigious award and also excited.  I am looking forward to the networking opportunities the award will give me and being able to demonstrate my commitment to improving patient care in the community setting.

“I plan to attend development workshops through the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), network with other Queen’s Nurses, promote the work of the QNI, encourage colleagues to also apply for the award and participate in any projects that the QNI are undertaking that will aid improvements to patient care in the community.”

Dr Crystal Oldham CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI, said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Samantha Clawson 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.  We look forward to working with Samantha and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.”

Samantha received her award from the actor Stephen McGann at a ceremony in London on 25 June.