Celebrating exceptional nurses: Queen’s Nurse Awards honour local nurses

Celebrating exceptional nurses: Queen’s Nurse Awards honour local nurses image

Home » Celebrating exceptional nurses: Queen’s Nurse Awards honour local nurses

Two outstanding nurses in Luton have received the prestigious Queen’s Nurse (QN) title for their contributions to healthcare.

The Queen’s Nurse title is a mark of their commitment to nursing excellence and patient care and enables the holder to access a supportive professional network, developmental programmes, bursaries and learning and leadership opportunities.

Alex McGarvey and Janet Thornley have both demonstrated remarkable dedication to healthcare innovation and quality improvement.

Alex, Nurse Partner at Lea Vale Medical Group and GPN Lead for Luton, began her journey with the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNi) in 2021 when she established a virtual coffee morning for homebound patients with complex care needs. The QNi provided valuable support, helping her shape this project to benefit patients in need.

Janet, Strategic Primary Care Nurse Lead, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, has been recognised for her work in developing the national CARE Programme.

The CARE Programme supports Primary Care colleagues to strengthen their leadership skills to establish population health projects that will improve patient health outcomes and help shape services. Originally created for General Practice Nurses, this initiative expanded nationally, improving patient health outcomes across England.

Felicity Cox, Chief Executive, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“I am immensely proud of the dedication and innovation demonstrated by our two nurses, Alex and Janet. Alex’s virtual coffee morning is a heart-warming example of how our healthcare professionals go above and beyond to improve the lives of those in need. Janet’s work on the CARE Programme, which expanded across the country and improved patient health outcomes, showcases the far-reaching impact of our nursing community. Their contributions reflect their commitment to patient care and we are extremely proud to have them as part of our team.”

View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

25 April 2025

Supplying local care homes with chairs to lift residents after a fall…

A chair which helps lift care home residents safely and quickly in an emergency after a fall has been proven to reduce avoidable ambulance callouts…

News

23 April 2025

Longest waits for NHS hospital treatment show further fall

New figures have revealed that the numbers of patients facing the longest waits for treatment at local hospitals have fallen significantly over the last 12…

News

17 April 2025

Get the care you need this Easter: advice on NHS opening times…

Many families will be looking forward to spending the Easter holiday together, but NHS staff will also enjoy the chance to take a long weekend with loved ones, meaning that…

News

17 April 2025

The importance of mental wellbeing – Stress Awareness Month

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System is marking Stress Awareness Month by encouraging people to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek support to help manage stress and anxiety.…

News

16 April 2025

More appointments are available for patients at local general practices

General practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are offering more appointments than a year ago, according to new figures released by NHS England. The data – covering December 2024…

News

14 April 2025

Patients urged to order repeat prescriptions before holiday weekends

People who take regular medications have been urged to check they have sufficient supplies to last the long Easter weekend (Good Friday, 18 April to Easter Monday, 21 April) and…