Nicky awarded prestigious Queen’s Nurse status
Congratulations to Nicky Richardson, our lead for tissue viability services, who has been awarded the prestigious honour of becoming a Queen’s Nurse.
The Queen’s Nurse award is given to experienced community-based nurses who demonstrate excellence in patient care, leadership, and continuous learning. It is awarded by The Queen’s Nursing Institute of Community Nursing to recognise a nurse’s commitment to their profession, and the rigorous application and assessment process requires a clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.
Nicky is due to collect her award at a ceremony in November. Congratulations, Nicky, we’re so proud of you.
Celebrating the incredible contribution of our SAS doctors
The outstanding achievements of our Specialty, Specialist and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors were celebrated at this year’s SAS Doctors Awards, held at Torbay Hospital.
Now in their third year, the awards shine a spotlight on the dedication, expertise and innovation of SAS doctors, who play a vital role in caring for our communities every day.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
- Helen Kimble – Learning, Research and Development
- Shyam Singam – Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
- Niki Burke – Making a Difference (Leadership and Management)
- Anita German – Respect, Teaching and Training
Anita was crowned SAS Doctor of the Year 2025 for making a real difference to patient care and outcomes and for her amazing commitment to supporting and developing her colleagues.
A special award was also presented to Niki Burke for her inspirational leadership as SAS Tutor and SAS Advocate. Niki has transformed professional development and training for SAS doctors, tirelessly advocating for them, improving working conditions and supporting career development. Thanks to her leadership, our organisation is recognised regionally and nationally against the SAS Charter.
Congratulations to all our winners and nominees – you inspire us every day!
Celebrating our community children’s nurses
Across Torbay and Devon, children and young people are getting the specialist care they need closer to home and not in hospital.
Children and Family Health Devon’s community children’s nurses (CCNs) provide a wide range of vital support and reassurance, including complex clinical care and supporting families to manage long-term conditions. They work alongside schools, hospitals and other services to make sure every child receives the care they need.
By bringing care directly into homes and communities, CCNs help children spend less time in hospital and more time in familiar surroundings with their families and carers. This not only improves comfort and wellbeing for the child or young person but also provides parents and carers with ongoing guidance and confidence in managing health.
Kim, Senior Children’s Community Nurse and Queen’s Nurse said, “I feel privileged to be to support children, young people and their families in their own homes and be part of their journey, I often see them at their most vulnerable in their own homes. I work hard to advocate for the child and their families and pride myself in providing holistic family centred care. It is a very special role, one that I never take for granted.”
To highlight the team’s incredible work, CFHD has created a heart-warming short film which showcases the team’s dedication the difference they make to families every day.