• Three of Bolton’s community nurses recognised by Queen’s Nursing Institute
• Gillian Finnigan, Joanne Simpson and Rachel Taylor handed prestigious title of a Queen’s Nurse
• Title recognises commitment to ongoing learning, leadership and excellence in healthcare

Three of Bolton’s community nurses have been recognised by the Queen’s Nursing Institute for their commitment to ongoing learning, leadership and excellence in healthcare.

Gillian Finnigan, Joanne Simpson and Rachel Taylor have all been handed the prestigious title of a Queen’s Nurse.

Gillian, Learning Disability Matron at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

I feel really proud to have received my Queen’s Nursing Award in recognition of being a Learning Disability Nurse, working in the community for 19 years.

“I love the variety community provides me and love working with individuals and their families, helping to reduce health inequalities and making a difference to people’s lives.

Rachel has been a community nurse for more than 12 years, and said what the title means to her:

I was delighted to hear I had been a successful candidate and had the pleasure of going to London to receive the award. On my arrival I spotted Dame Elizabeth Anionwu in the audience, later to find out she was presenting our awards. She to me is ‘nursing royalty‘ and to have been presented the Queen’s Nurse Title by Dame Elizabeth is a true honour and definitely a highlight of my career that I shall hold close to my heart.

“I love my role in community nursing for many reasons, the joy it brings to patients and their families being able to receive care in the community and their own homes. Community nursing has evolved so much in 12 years and I am very excited to see what community looks like for our people of Bolton in another 12 years.

587 nurses working in the community, in primary care and social care received the title of Queen’s Nurse in 2024. The total number of Queen’s Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is now around 3000.

Michaela Toms, Divisional Nurse Director for the Integrated Community Services Division at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

The Queen’s Nurse title really does help to raise the profile of community nursing. It’s also brilliant that we have two Learning Disability Queen’s Nurses too in the Bolton Queen’s Nurse community.

“Our three staff were recognised for their incredible contribution to leading change and transforming the lives of our Bolton communities.

We’re currently looking for nurses to join our team and make a difference to the lives of people in Bolton. Find your place on the job page of our website.