We are thrilled to announce Rebecca Franks, Director of Patient Care at St Barnabas Hospice, has been awarded the coveted title of Queen’s Nurse (QN), by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).
Rebecca began her journey at St Barnabas Hospice in 2022 as Senior Clinical Services Manager, moving to Director of Patient Care in March 2023.
Within her current role, Rebecca is responsible for all clinical care delivered by the Hospice, alongside being the Lead Director for Safeguarding, Infection Prevention and Control and the Freedom to Speak Up initiative.
The title of Queen’s Nurse indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning, and leadership within the community, and is awarded after a lengthy and competitive application process.
Rebecca says: “It was arduous! You’re asked about the work you’ve done, projects you’ve been involved with, and how you think you and community nursing should develop and progress. You need to provide recommendations and supporting statements from five peers for the award as well.”
Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity.
Rebecca says: “Personally, it’s a lovely title to have. It makes you have a little bit of a glow around you – at the presentation they likened this to that Ready Brek glow. It’s great to get that recognition that you are a leader and an expert, and an experienced professional in community nursing.
“It opens up a lot of doors for community nurses to liaise with each other, share best practices, and work together in the future.”
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI, said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Rebecca 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. We look forward to working with Rebecca and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.”
Rebecca joins Kerry Gammons, Nurse Consultant and Tom Rose, Specialist Dementia Nurse Clinical Lead, at St Barnabas in receiving the prestigious title.
Discussing the benefit for St Barnabas, Rebecca says: “Because we have a very beautiful flagship building, when people in the community think of St Barnabas, they think of the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln. But proportionally, we see and care for ten times more patients out in the community, than we do in the Inpatient Unit. So, it’s raising the awareness and profile of the community nursing we do.”
Between 2023 – 2024, St Barnabas’ Community Nurses were involved in the triage and/or care of 3,430 patients throughout Lincolnshire, 227 patients were cared for in the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln and 140 patients were cared for in our Hospice in the Hospital in Grantham.
Our Hospice at Home nurses work 365 days a year to care for patients with a life-limiting and terminal illness within their own home. Dedicated members of the team can also support patients and families to access benefits, spiritual care, therapies, and counselling.
We are proud to have Rebecca leading our talented and compassionate team of clinicians. To find out more about the services that St Barnabas offers, please visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/services/