More than 30 nurses and midwives have received New Year Honours after a challenging year for the profession.
Nurses played an important role in hospitals, care homes, and communities during the pandemic.
One of the recipients was Professor Greta Westwood, CEO of Florence Nightingale Foundation who received CBE for his contribution to the profession.
Professor Westwood was a registered nurse for more than 37 years, returned to frontline service during the coronavirus pandemic to provide assistance and support at the local health service in Portsmouth. She launched the Nightingale Frontline Leadership Support Service to help nurses in dealing with the adverse effects of the pandemic.
Professor Westwood expressed her gratitude when receiving the award, saying that she is very honoured and humble receiving such recognition.
She said that she wouldn’t receive the award without the support of her team.
Aquiline Chivinge, a senior nurse at Nottingham University Hospitals received an MBE for her major contributions in serving the ethnic minority.
Ms. Chivinge who has 24 years of experience as a nurse was trained in Africa before spending time working in Scotland and Australia. She then settled in Nottingham.
She is the clinical lead for shared governance and inclusive leadership in NHS supporting colleagues from Asian, Black, and minority backgrounds.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Ms. Chivinige led a research webinar for BAME staff that provided information about COVID-19.
Ms. Chivinge also expressed gratitude for receiving the award especially she received it during the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
Another awardee was Sarah Clarke, director, and lead nurse at Cheshire and Mersey care networks. She received an MBE.
She is an expert in critical care throughout her career and worked in various locations around the world.
She is an integral leader in critical care and has provided crucial support to NHS response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Clarke said that she was surprised and deeply honoured after receiving the award.
