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Learning disability nurses honoured with England’s chief nursing officer awards

Nurses ‘humbled’ and ‘excited’ to receive gold and silver awards in recognition of their services to the profession
LD nurses

Nurses ‘humbled’ and ‘excited’ to receive gold and silver awards in recognition of their services to the profession


Shirley Chappell (left), Noel Fagan and Jenny Jones were recognised for their
contribution to learning disability nursing

Three nurse academics have been recognised by England’s chief nursing officer (CNO) for their contribution to learning disability nursing.

Noel Fagan is the first nurse academic to be honoured with a gold CNO award.

Mr Fagan has worked as a learning disabilities nurse for 43 years and also works on the integrated practice in learning disabilities nursing and social work programme at the University of Salford.

Two other University of Salford academics, Shirley Chappell and Jenny Jones, who are also practising learning disability nurses, received silver awards for the contributions they have made to the NHS and the profession.

The awards were presented by deputy chief nurse Hilary Garratt last month as part of the University of Salford’s centenary celebration of learning disability nursing.

Inspirational

‘Noel uses his experiences to inspire the next generation of nurses and inspire people who are practising already,’ she said.

Ms Garratt added that the people of Greater Manchester and the University of Salford have benefitted immensely from his ‘huge talent, significant experience and strong values’.

Accepting the award, Mr Fagan described his pride in his students.

‘They are inspirational. One of the things that gives me the most confidence for the future is that the values that underpin what we do as learning disabilities nurses are going to carry on into the future,’ he said.

Ms Chappell said she felt ‘privileged’ to receive the award.

Ms Jones said: ‘I’m excited and humbled. I’d like to accept the award on behalf of all learning disabilities nurses.’

House of Commons honours


Debra Moore

At a celebration in the House of Commons to mark the centenary of learning disability nursing last month, England’s chief nursing officer Ruth May presented a CNO gold award for nursing excellence to Debra Moore, chief nurse at Cheswold Park Hospital, a medium and low secure service in Doncaster.

Silver awards

Silver awards were also presented to Helen Laverty, professional lead for learning disability nursing at the University of Nottingham, and Ruth Harrison, head of learning disability and autism at Bespoke Health and Social Care, a Nottingham-based company working with people who have specialist needs.

 


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