A Perth-based nurse who has gained extra training to help her support women who have suffered violence was congratulated in the House of Commons.
Jodeen Gunn - known as Jodie - worked previously as a community nurse team leader in the health visiting service.
She recently started a new role as Violence Against Women nurse advisor for NHS Tayside.
She’s been in the spotlight for becoming a Queen’s Nurse, a prestigious accolade presented to her at a recent ceremony in Edinburgh.
The award involved participating in a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
Nurses were selected as a result of employer nomination, and subsequent panel interviews for their clinical expertise and compassionate care.
Each nurse went on to take part in a nine-month mainly online development programme, expanding their skills and confidence to become change makers in Scotland’s communities.
Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) of December 16 to congratulate Jodie for becoming a Queen’s Nurse.
Ms Gunn, one of only 29 nurses to get the award in Scotland, said: “I am honoured to become a Queen’s Nurse and it has been a real privilege getting to know like-minded inspiring Queen’s Nurses this year.
“I hope to use the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme to further develop the service and promote excellence of care within our community.”
Mr Wishart said: “Jodie completed nine months of intensive development training, and this accolade is a testament to her incredible work both within the programme and beyond.
“Jodie has now gone on to become a Violence Against Women nurse advisor, where she will offer vital help to women affected by male violence across the NHS Tayside board.
“I continue to be in awe of the steadfast resilience of nurses up and down the country who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic in immensely challenging conditions.”
Another new Queen’s Nurse was Emma Jane Legge, a GP nurse at Newburgh and Abernethy Surgery. Emma’s job in Fife is supporting people with long-term conditions to live full and productive lives, centred around what matters most to them.
Karen Laing, a community learning disability nurse with NHS Tayside, also successfully completed the QNIS programme. Her work calling is to creatively ensure that life is accessible for people with a learning disability.
At a ceremony staged in November, the selected professionals received the honour of being made Queen’s Nurse, an role begun in 1889 following a donation by Queen Victoria.
Each received a silver Queen’s Nurse badge, a certificate signed by HM The Queen and a Harris Tweed sash.
