Posted 18 June 2016 - 21:12
Posted 18 June 2016 - 21:12
News
Welsh politician given honorary RCN fellowship
Kirsty Williams recognised for work on nurse staff numbers
The politician who introduced a nurse staffing bill into the Welsh Assembly has today been given an honorary RCN fellowship for her work on nurses’ behalf.
Kirsty Williams was integral in the creation of the country’s first ever Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill, which came into effect in March this year.
Seeking to ensure a safe number of nurses per ward in Welsh hospitals, Ms Williams – who stood down as Liberal Democrat leader following Assembly elections last month – won plaudits from across the nursing profession.
Today, she was visibly moved by the warm reception from members as she accepted the award at the opening ceremony of RCN congress in Glasgow.
RCN general secretary Janet Davies presented Ms Williams with her accolade and praised Wales for being ‘in the vanguard of introducing safe staffing across Europe’.
The presentation was one of several on the night, as Ms Davies helped welcome a number of new fellows to the college.
Among them was Danny Kelly, who is a member of the editorial advisory board which advises RCNi.
Also named as fellows today are:
- Liz Bonner
- Janice Gabriel
- Anne Harriss
- Fiona Stephenson
- Angela Wallace
Safety representative of the year went to Carolyn Venters; while learning representative of the year is Denise Wills and steward of the year is Gina Newton.
RCN awards of merit were given to:
- Major Chris Carter
- Vera Cook
- Pierre Hervé
- Dame Betty Kershaw
- Graham Revie
- Roy Tomlinson
Earlier, RCN Foundation chair Robert Sowney announced winners of the foundation's own awards.
The Impact awards for learning and development to improve patient experience and nursing care went to:
- Jessica Davidson
- Catherine Jones
- Rianne O’Gara
- Naomi Farrington
The Impact award for achieving impact with a project went to the RCN public lecture series team of Sarah Chaney, Anna Semmens, Frances Reed and Teresa Doherty.
The Impact award for fundraising went to Lewis Allett, Rod Thomson, Carol Evans and Stuart McKenzie, who completed a gruelling challenge to climb Mount Edith Cavell in Canada.