The Ellen Mary Memorial Prize

Nominations for the Ellen Mary Memorial Prize are invited from each university in England, Wales and Northern Ireland delivering a General Practice Nursing SPQ programme approved by the NMC.

We are able to offer this prize thanks to the generosity of a Queen’s Nurse, in memory of her mother, Ellen Mary.

Eligibility

Each university is invited to identify the General Practice Nurse (GPN) student who has demonstrated the most outstanding achievement during the period of study on the GPN SPQ Programme.

The criteria for outstanding achievement is determined by the university and does not have to be the most outstanding academic achievement/highest marks, but can be the criteria of their choice.

You can nominate a student online using this form.

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application, please contact Gabriella Acen by email at gabriella.acen@qni.org.uk.

Ellen Mary

Ellen Mary was born on 14th June 1927 and died aged 90 on 11th November 2017. Ellen left school at 14 years of age and dedicated her life to helping others. As a young woman she joined the St John Ambulance Service to learn first aid and home nursing. Ellen married and had four children. Her eldest son was disabled with cerebral palsy.  Although medical opinion was that he would never walk, Ellen and her husband Arthur worked hard to ensure their son was not disadvantaged, and through their dedication he learnt to walk, drive and lead a fully independent life. 

Ellen volunteered as a Special Constable and during 21 years of service, became the first female Sergeant in her area. She was also well-known as a Parish Councillor and the President of the Women’s Institute for many years. Ellen was a remarkably resilient, generous and compassionate lady, highly respected in her community across the many roles she held in her 90 years. One of Ellen’s daughters became a General Practice Nurse and was awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse in 2014. The QNI is delighted to honour the family’s wishes to use the legacy to recognise, inspire and reward the most outstanding General Practice Nurse students every year.

At QNI Awards Ceremony 2021, Ellen Mary’s daughter, Queen’s Nurse Gill Boast, spoke about the life of her mother and the family’s decision to create a memorial prize for General Practice Nurses in her name.