New Queen’s Nurses in 2024: Suzanne Ward

A Paediatric Nurse from Manchester, who specialises in making sure children and their families receive the best care at the end of their lives, has been awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse (QN).

Suzanne Ward, 51, began working at Derian House Children’s Hospice 13 years ago as a Registered Nurse and since completing her master’s degree in 2020 is one of the first Advanced Clinical Practitioners to operate within a hospice environment.

‘Queen’s Nurse’ is a prestigious and historic title which is given to nurses delivering and leading outstanding care and is awarded by the Queen’s Nursing Institute. The title is open to registered nurses with more than five years’ experience working in the community. Managers and patients provide feedback about applicants, which is assessed along with their application.

Suzanne is one of 587 new QNs in 2024, and one of almost 3000 across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which can be explored on our interactive map. The new QNs will receive their titles formally at the QNI’s Awards Ceremony in London in November.

“As a nurse, I am constantly striving to achieve high standards of practice and delivering excellent patient-centred care to all our families – making sure all care is tailored to the child and their family’s needs,” continued Suzanne.

“I am proud to be an ambassador for nursing, whether it has been working on the ward caring for sick children, or supporting children and their families when they receive a palliative diagnosis.

“I am very aware there are few nursing professionals with skills and experience required to provide children’s palliative care in the community. My personal vision is that every baby, child, young person, and their families, should receive the best palliative nursing care by a knowledgeable and skilled nurse, within their preferred place of care.

“To have received the Queen’s Nurse title means the absolute world and is the most amazing achievement of my nursing career. The award will allow me to continue my commitment to improving paediatric palliative care across the region.”

Are you a Queen’s Nurse with a story to tell? If you would like your nursing story to be featured, please email us at: mail@qni.org.uk.

Notes:

Derian House Children’s Hospice, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West.

For more information, please contact PR and Communications Officer Rebecca Feeley on rebecca.feeley@derianhouse.co.uk or call 01257 233 300 ext. 205 or mobile 07968 730738.