Cwm Taf Morgannwg community nurse given prestigious Queen's Nurse accolade

A Cwm Taf Morgannwg nurse has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Nurse accolade for her dedicated work in the community.

Andrea Dorrington is the lead nurse for urgent primary care, working with the district nursing and GP out-of-hours services. As well as caring for patients directly, she helps manage the urgent primary care team, implementing new policies and procedures, and training fellow nurses.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrea was also part of the team which set up a community hub to support district nurses working with patients who had contracted the virus, and care home staff who were working to keep residents as well as possible and out of hospital.

Andrea started her healthcare career in August 1987 and, apart from a short break to work in nursing education, has been helping patients in Cwm Taf Morgannwg communities ever since.

The title of Queen’s Nurse is awarded each year to a handful of nurses working in the community and primary care who are committed to the highest standards of patient care, as well as learning and leadership.

The rigorous application process asks the nurses, health visitors and midwives who apply to give evidence of their expertise in the field, and show that they are held in high regard by peers, colleagues, patients and their families.

“I screamed initially when I had the email through – I was extremely shocked. It was a very difficult application process and I never expected to be given this award,” Andrea said.

“It can be difficult for us as nurses to put ourselves forward for accolades like this. We’re not keen on selling ourselves, we judge our work and look for ways to always improve,” Andrea added.

“I am very privileged to be given this accolade, and to do what I do, going into people’s homes and helping them.”

Andrea is now one of 1,700 nurses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland who have the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

The recognition comes with the added benefit of being part of a network along with development opportunities and bursaries.

“It will open doors up for me to network with other Queen’s Nurses nationally, learn from them and bring good practice back to the services here,” Andrea explained.

The Queen’s Nurse Institute also works closely with national government to create and develop policies for community nursing. This means that those nurses given the special title have the opportunity to have their say on patient care and working practices across the country.

“Andrea is a highly valued member of our team and this recognition has been a major boost for us all at this time,” said Martine Randall, Head of Urgent Primary Care.

“This is a prestigious community nursing award which recognises Andrea’s commitment to nursing practice, and high standards of patient-centric care.”