Hospice in the Weald’s Clinical Director Jan Thirkettle has been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) by The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).
The title recognises Jan’s commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership in community nursing. Jan was presented with her certificate at an awards ceremony held in London on 8th December.
“It is a huge honour to be recognised as a Queen’s Nurse,” said Jan. “This not only acknowledges my own commitment to improving standards of care in the community and to learning and leadership; but that of the entire team at Hospice in the Weald.”
Hospice in the Weald provides free care and support to adults and children facing life-threatening or terminal illness in west Kent and East Sussex. Jan’s leadership in helping to extend the organisation’s reach beyond the Hospice’s walls and into the community played a key part in her gaining the title.
“I am particularly proud of how the Hospice has enhanced its role within hospital and community teams to improve end-of-life care for terminally ill patients,” said Jan. “This has ensured more people can die in the place of their choice, whether in their own home, in the hospice or elsewhere.”
“I couldn’t have done this without the backing of my colleagues at Hospice in the Weald, my husband Paul, our children and grandchildren who have supported me throughout my career.”
Nurses with the QN title benefit from development workshops and a shared professional identity.
“As a Queen’s Nurse I am now part of a dynamic network and get to hear about all the good practice across the country,” Jan explained. “This inspires me and has also opened new opportunities for my colleagues as we together work to improve the care and support we offer in our own community.”
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of The Queen’s Nursing Institute said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Jan 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. The process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires a clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.”
Reflecting on her career, Jan said: “When I was young I wanted to be a BBC cameraman – but was told I could be a secretary, teacher or nurse. Teaching wasn’t for me, so I decided to try nursing. I have now been a nurse for more than 40 years.
“My true love is palliative care. When I was a student, I cared for an 18-year-old patient on a hospital ward who was dying from stomach cancer. It was traumatic for all concerned, but that night it struck me that I had made a difference at a crucial time, for that young man and his family. I decided to get specialist training at the Royal Marsden and have worked in palliative care ever since.”
Jan added: “When I started out, my career was mapped out. I never thought I’d become a director; at that time my goal was to be ward sister. It’s wonderful to see how many more opportunities there are now. My advice to aspiring Queen’s Nurses developing their careers is to be authentic, always listen and make the most of every opportunity.”
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Photo: Professor Deborah Sturdy CBE, Chief Nurse Adult Social Care (right) presents Jan Thirkettle QN, the Hospice’s Clinical Director, with her certificate. Please credit: The Queen’s Nursing Institute.
- Hospice in the Weald ensures everyone with a terminal illness, and their families, in West Kent and East Sussex receive free care and support. hospiceintheweald.org.uk
- The Queen’s Nursing Institute is a charity that works with nurses and decision-makers to ensure good quality nursing is available to everyone, when they need it. qni.org.uk
Anne Merriman
Well done Jan and well deserved.
I have wonderful dedicated Ugandan nurses here, as well as in the African countries we have trained through our Visio of” palliative care for aLL indeed in Africa” who administer African palliative care suitable to the economy of thier countries, and the family, and suitable to their culture. I would love to see an award that stretches to Hospice Africa founded by a British MBE .The Nurses are the backbone of our care for patients and families at home.