Three Tameside and Glossop NHS community nurses have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Nurses Award.

The outstanding trio have also received a special message with other colleagues across the country from His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, who thanked them for their service, delivering care to people in homes and communities in the face of the continuing challenges of the pandemic.

Emma Frain, Matron for District Nursing, Amanda Hayden, District Nursing Sister and Paula Bell, District Nurse Team Leader, were given the highly-prized award for demonstrating an outstanding level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.

In a video message, Prince Charles said: “I am fully aware of the relentless challenges you face on a daily basis, and so, if I may, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you working in the community, in primary care and in care homes, in hospitals and hospices, in schools and clinics and in every setting where healthcare has been and continues to be so urgently needed.”

He also acknowledged how nurses have ‘helped those whose physical and mental health have been affected by extended periods of social isolation and thanked them for their role in delivering the UK’s vaccination campaign, that ‘has enabled us to emerge, cautiously, from the national and regional lockdowns and begin to resume normal life.’

Karen James, Chief Executive of Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT, said she was extremely proud of her three colleagues.

The three nurses will be formally presented with their awards via an online (virtual) ceremony on December 13.

Karen stated: “Everyone I know will want to join me in saying a huge congratulations to Emma, Amanda and Paula and thank them for their commitment and dedication in delivering the very highest standards for our patients in the community.”