QNI: New prize for student health visitors announced

The Queen’s Nursing Institute has announced the creation of a new prize for student Health Visitors, named in memory of Dora Roylance, a former Queen’s Nurse and Health Visitor.

Dora Roylance passed away in 2016 at the age of 100 and left a legacy to the QNI that enabled them to create this prize in her name. Dora became a Queen’s Nurse in 1939 and become a Health Visitor six years later, thanks to a QNI training bursary. She went on to work as a nurse and a Health Visitor for the rest of her career.

The new prize is offered for outstanding students who have completed the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing () Health Visitor programme. The prize is available at every university in England, Wales or Northern Ireland where the programme is offered.

The health visitor programme leaders at each university may nominate one student to receive the prize each year.

More information about the prize and the nomination form

Director of the Institute of Health Visiting receives CBE at Buckingham Palace

Dr Cheryll Adams awarded honour for her contribution to the health visiting profession

Dr Cheryll Adams, executive director of the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), today received a CBE as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90^th birthday honours ceremony held at Buckingham Palace.

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, Executive Director of the Institute of Health Visiting at Buckingham Palace

Dr Adams CBE was selected for the honour in recognition of her contribution to the health visiting profession.

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE said:

“I am absolutely honoured to accept this award on behalf of all the health visitors who do such a fantastic job in improving family and public health, ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life.”

She added:

“Through this award, I hope to highlight the essential role of the health visitor in family life, and that this will be increasingly recognised and valued. Through the Institute, we hope to continue to make a real difference to the lives of children, their families and communities across the whole of the UK – and beyond.”

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Dr Cheryll Adams awarded CBE in Queen’s 90th birthday honours

Founding director of the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) recognised for her contribution to improving children’s lives

Dr Cheryll Adams, founding director of the Institute of Health Visiting

iHV founding director, Dr Cheryll Adams, is to become a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) after being named in Her Majesty’s 90^th Birthday Honours List.

Cheryll, who has been working in family and public health for more than 30 years, was selected for the honour in recognition of her contribution to the health visiting profession and the important role it plays in improving outcomes for children, families and communities.

She co-founded the Institute of Health Visiting in 2012 to raise standards in health visiting through education and research, and to reduce inequalities in health by ensuring every family receives a universally high quality of care.

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Fellow wins Practice Teacher of the year award

Patricia Kelly with her Practice Teacher of the Year award

Many congratulations to all the winners of who received an award at the CPHVA award ceremony on 8 April in London, including Patricia Kelly (one of our Fellows) who won Practice Teacher of the year.

The Practice Teacher is essential in preparing the practitioner of tomorrow and is someone who demonstrates outstanding care within their practice setting, is an advocate and professional role model and shows a personal commitment to continuing education for themselves and/or others.

Patricia commented on her award:

I am thrilled to win the CPHVA’s Practice Teacher of the Year Award, what an honour! Practice Teachers are the gatekeepers to our profession and as such play an extremely important role in teaching and nurturing the next generation of practitioners. I am proud to be one of such a hard working group of professionals and thank all the practice teachers in my Trust for their continued hard work and support.

Winner of the MacQueen award for excellence in research and practice development 2016

Many congratulations to all the winners of who received an award at the CPHVA award ceremony on 8 April in London, including Patricia Kelly (one of our Fellows) who won Practice Teacher of the year and our own Elaine McInnes (also a Fellow) – read about Elaine’s win:

Elaine McInnes, Professional development officer of the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), has received the MacQueen award for excellence in research and practice development 2016.

Announced at a reception in London on 8 April 2016, the award recognises the importance of a research project that Elaine is undertaking as part of her doctoral studies. The project aims to understand what the components of successful preceptorship programmes are for newly qualified health visitors following the DH Health Visiting call to action 2011-2015.

Elaine commented on her award:

“I am thrilled and delighted to have won this award and I’d like to thank the shortlisting panel who recognised the importance of this project. We are in a unique position in health visiting as the rapid increase in staff (46%), and the variables this brings, has not had the opportunity to be investigated. Additionally, in health visiting research there is little evidence to the actual support required during the first year in practice. The quality of services that the health visiting profession delivers to families must remain first class. Families are more likely than ever to receive their care from a newly qualified health visitor and, as such, it is vital we ensure that the right support is in place for newly qualified practitioners”.

Prime Minister awards mum for starting social exercise community groups for new mothers

A mum of three boys who set up a national network of volunteer-led community activity groups for mothers to help over 1000 mums across England actively embrace motherhood together has been named a Point of Light by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Katy Tuncer set up Ready Steady Mums – local volunteer-led groups where mothers meet to exercise together, such as in a park or community centre. These groups help new mothers, who may feel cut off from friends and other sources of support after the birth, overcome feelings of isolation and depression. The groups are started by a mother, with support from their health visitor. They begin as a gentle walking group with other local mums before starting other types of physical activity, meaning there is a very low barrier for mums to get started.

Katy Tuncer, founder of Ready Steady Mums

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“Katy has shown fantastic community spirit, taking the enjoyment and support she got from walking with other new Mums, and creating a nationwide movement to help others share the same experience. Ready Steady Mums has grown into a wonderful way for Mums to come together in their local community. I am delighted to recognise her as the UK’s 436^th Point of Light.”

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