OBE for Unison head of nursing Gail Adams

Unison head of nursing Gail Adams was presented with an OBE by Prince William at a Buckingham Palace ceremony last week.

Ms Adams was honoured for services to nursing and public health in the New Year's Honours.

Accompanying her to the palace on 28 February were her two sisters, both nurses. The trio have 110 years' nursing experience between them.

The union official – who proudly wore her #bursaryorbust campaign badge on her outfit – told Nursing Standard: 'It was great to have my sisters there with me. Prince William was very nice, and spoke about how much he enjoys being an air ambulance pilot.'

Other honours

Ms Adams is the latest nurse to receive an honour in recent weeks. Elizabeth Anionwu, who set up the first nurse-led sickle cell intervention and screening service in England, and campaigned for a statue of Mary Seacole to be put up in London, was made a dame by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 23 February.

Honoured at the same ceremony was RCN president Cecilia Amin, who was made CBE in recognition of her work for the RCN over the past three decades, as a nurse specialist in sexual health and as a leader in her community. 

In other news

• Plans for further 2,000 nursing associates in 2018
• 'Struggling' nurses depending on hardship grants to survive, RCN says