Cancer nurse receives prestigious Queen's Nurse Award

Posted 29th July 2020

At The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, we are incredibly proud of our hard-working nurses, who are dedicated to the on-going support of patients and their families, whilst also providing the very best in cancer care for people in our region.

One of those who embodies these principles at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is Jackie Rooney, our Head of Nursing and Safeguarding and a recent recipient of the accolade of Queen’s Nurse. Jackie is one of only 25 nurses in the region to receive the accolade.

Jackie has worked with the NHS her entire career in roles including AED Sister, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Head of Learning Disabilities, Diabetes Network Manager, Primary Care/GP Forward View Lead Nurse, Diabetes Commissioner, Violence Reduction Partnership Health Lead and Senior Nurse Quality and Safety for NHS England.

The Queen’s Nurse programme brings together community nurses to develop their professional skills and deliver outstanding patient care and nursing practice. The title is not an award for past service, but indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership. Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity.

Jackie has been recognised for her extensive track record in implementing and delivering large scale change programmes in both primary and emergency care throughout her career and has made a significant contribution to NHS England, working at both a regional and national level to improve outcomes for patients with long term conditions and individuals with a learning disability.

Her recent work at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre includes showcasing an informational video for people with cancer who also have a learning disability during Learning Disability Week 2020. The project aimed to further improve patients’ experience of coming to the hospital and help clinicians gain a great understanding of how to care for patients with additional needs. You can watch the video here.

On gaining her title of Queen’s Nurse, Jackie said; “I feel privileged, honoured and very proud to have been granted this prestigious award and Queen’s Nurse title.

I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings in national, regional and local nursing posts, being part of inspirational teams who deliver exceptional nursing care and share the same values of compassion, respect, trust and inclusivity.

It is humbling to know that my commitment to improving patient care, patient, family and carer advocacy and nurse leadership, together with service and clinical pathway development, has been recognised in this way, and that the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has confidence in me to help lead further developments.

I am looking forward to the networking opportunities the award will give me and being able to demonstrate my commitment to improving patient care.”

Throughout her career, Jackie has also been the recipient of a number of other prestigious awards including a Health Service Journal Award for Clinical Excellence in Chronic Disease Management, Secretary of State for Health award for Clinical Excellence, Runner up NHS Leadership Leader of Inclusivity and two National Quality in Care awards for Diabetes

Karen Kay, Deputy Director of Nursing at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: “Jackie is a highly visible leader here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and is never too busy for anyone, be it a developing member of our nursing staff or a concerned patient.

“She demonstrates compassion, patient-centred leadership and is a true advocate for change. Her fast pace of working and her drive to make a difference for both patients and staff, as well as her commitment to quality and patient safety, makes her a joy to work with and I’m delighted she’s been recognised as a Queen’s Nurse.”

Jackie will be awarded her title at a virtual ceremony, taking place later this year.

Jackie’s recognition comes as the Trust marks three weeks since the opening of our brand new hospital in Liverpool city centre. Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool is the city’s first dedicated cancer hospital. Alongside our current sites in Wirral and Aintree, and supported by The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, our new 11-storey, hospital aims to improve cancer outcomes and offer outstanding care to the 2.4million population of Cheshire and Merseyside.