What Is a Queen’s Nurse? Stories from Our Expert Witnesses

When it comes to nursing, there are few professional honours more respected than the title of Queen’s Nurse. It’s a recognition not only of clinical expertise, but of compassion, leadership and a long-term commitment to patient care - particularly within community settings.

At Tessa Gough Associates, several of our expert witnesses hold this title. It’s a reflection of the dedication they bring to their nursing practice and to their work as expert witnesses, ensuring that the people and families at the heart of every case receive the care, attention and support they deserve.

But what does it actually mean to be a Queen’s Nurse? And why does it matter?

What does it mean to be a Queen’s Nurse?

To be a Queen’s Nurse is to be recognised for a consistently high commitment to patient care and the practice of nursing. This is not just in clinical skill, but in the way that care is delivered, led and improved for others.

The Queen’s Nurse title is awarded by The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN), a charity that has supported community nursing since 1887. It’s a professional title that celebrates nurses who demonstrate exceptional practice and who are committed to sharing their knowledge, improving standards of care and supporting patients, families and communities.

While the title isn’t a clinical qualification, it’s a sign of a nurse’s contribution to leadership, learning and the improvement of care in community and primary healthcare settings. For many, it’s a career milestone - a public acknowledgment of years spent making a difference to people’s lives, often outside the spotlight of everyday nursing.

How do nurses become Queen’s Nurses?

If a nurse decides to apply to become a Queen’s Nurse, they have to meet a range of criteria.

• ›NMC: The first criteria is that their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council must be active and up to date. Applications are therefore only open to those working in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
• ›Credentials: While the title is available to all nurses working in a community or primary care setting, anyone applying must have worked in one field for at least five consecutive years. For nurses who have been recruited internationally, their criteria includes a minimum of 3 years and 6 months working in the community in the UK, and 18 months in a community setting before their arrival to the UK.
• ›Support: A nurse has to have the support of both their line manager (or an equivalent senior manager) who has known them for at least 6 months, as well as another senior manager.
• ›Evidence: Finally, evidence on a nurse’s character and experience has to be provided by a professional/clinical lead (or equivalent), plus two additional contributors. As you’ll read about below, those additional contributors have often personally felt the impact of the support our nurses provide in their communities.

It also goes without saying that anyone applying can’t be under investigation by the NMC or their employer.

The Queen’s Nurses at Tessa Gough Associates

For our expert witnesses at Tessa Gough Associates who hold the title, being a Queen’s Nurse isn’t simply an accolade - it’s a badge of honour. It’s an acknowledgement of years spent improving patient care in community settings, often behind the scenes.

Sue Wynne

Sue Wynne, one of our longest serving nurses, became a Queen’s Nurse in 2012. After four decades as a nurse, it was the development of a new community pathway for patients experiencing relapses of Clostridium difficile that led to her award.

“The pathway prevented patients from being re-admitted to hospital,” Sue explains. “They were able to get treatment and support in the community, through follow up and contact.”

The pathway improved patient outcomes and quality of life through collaboration with General Practitioners and District Nurses. It was practical, patient-focused work and it made a difference.

Danielle Taylor

Danielle Taylor was awarded the Queen’s Nurse title in 2024, having worked as a community children’s nurse for seven years. She’s proud to be acknowledged for her professional efforts, but the accolade is also closely tied to the families she has supported.

The application process required evidence from those she’d cared for - in this case, the parents of two children she had worked with from infancy. “Seeing their feedback was invaluable,” Danielle says. “It was then very humbling to receive formal recognition of my commitment to delivering and leading on outstanding care in the community.”

Receiving the award, she explains, isn’t the end of the story. Since 2024, Danielle has worked with her Queen’s Nurse colleagues to raise further awareness for community children’s nursing, to help babies, children and young people achieve their full potential.

Philippa Osmane

For Philippa Osmane, being awarded the Queen’s Nurse title was a personal ambition rooted in her early life. “As a child I received the Queen’s Guide award and had always wanted to achieve the Queen’s Nurse award as an adult,” she says.

In 2019, that ambition was realised in recognition of her work as a Tissue Viability Nurse, delivering patient-centred care and encouraging others to do the same. Since then, Philippa has seen herself as an ambassador for the role that allows her to lead by example.

“Every year we must renew our status and there is an expectation that we will continue to be ambassadors for the role,” she explains. “I am immensely proud to be acknowledged for my contribution to patient care and the nursing profession, which I have been part of for many years and continue to give excellent care.”

Shaun Major-Preece

Shaun Major-Preece became a Queen’s Nurse in 2023. He recognises it as a moment of professional pride and a formal recognition of his commitment to high-quality, person-centred community care.

“The title is awarded by the QICN to nurses who demonstrate excellence in practice and leadership,” he explains. “And I was proud to receive it in recognition of the work I’ve undertaken to improve communities.”

That work includes the development and implementation of an acute paediatric respiratory hub - a project designed to improve access to care and support for individuals with complex respiratory needs. For Shaun, the Queen’s Nurse title is a reflection of his ongoing focus on leading meaningful improvements in community nursing.

Why the Queen’s Nurse title matters in expert witness work

For each of our expert witnesses, the Queen’s Nurse title is not about personal recognition. Instead, there’s a belief that it serves as a reminder to uphold the standards and values of their profession. Those standards then carry through to their work as expert witnesses.

The Queen’s Nurse title isn’t just a mark of clinical excellence - it reflects a nurse’s dedication to compassionate, patient-focused care and a commitment to ongoing professional development. These qualities are vital to expert witness work.

Having Queen’s Nurses within the Tessa Gough Associates team means our clients benefit from the expertise of professionals who have been recognised for delivering services of the highest standard.

When our Queen’s Nurse expert witnesses prepare either care or liability reports, they bring that same high standard of practice to every instruction. Their experience within their clinical role means they understand the real-life impact of illness, injury or negligence on individuals, families and clinical professionals. Their commitment to clear communication, empathy and leadership within nursing is reflected in the quality and clarity of the expert reports they produce.

Recognising excellence in nursing and expert evidence

At Tessa Gough Associates, we’re proud that several of our expert witnesses hold the Queen’s Nurse title. We believe it speaks volumes about the standard of work they bring to every case.

Whether providing care recommendations, assessing complex needs or preparing care or liability reports, our Queen’s Nurse expert witnesses combine clinical expertise with a proven commitment to supporting patients, families and legal professionals alike.