Monday, 1 DECEMBER, 2025

Photos attached: 1 – Katy Vickers Senior Charge Nurse for Central Vaccination Service, 2 – Elaine Whelan Team Leader

NHS Tayside nurses honoured with Queen’s Nurse Award

Two community nurses from NHS Tayside have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse at a ceremony held in Edinburgh.

After successfully completing a nine-month development programme run by the charity Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS), NHS Tayside Senior Charge Nurse for Central Vaccination Service Katy Vickers and Team Leader Elaine Whelan were awarded the title along with 17 other community nurses across Scotland.

The community nurses from Tayside were selected earlier this year to take part in the programme which consisted of residential workshops, online workshops and individual coaching sessions. This also included choosing a specific development issue to study which has a significant impact on those they care for, so that the learning during the nine months can be applied in practice.

Elaine Wheelan chose to focus on peer parent support programmes for families of a young person with an intellectual disability. She said, “My aim was to produce a programme aimed at families of those young people with an intellectual disability who would benefit from a positive behavioural support framework to help their young people. My plan is to adapt our parent programmes so that I can support parents with an intellectual disability to fully engage in a parental peer support group, it gives my development project a wider scope and benefit those very vulnerable families who can often find it challenging to join mainstream support.

I feel very privileged to be part of such an enthusiastic and caring group of individuals who strive to improve patient care in their areas.”

Katy Vickers said, “The Queen’s Nurse Programme has been a unique and inspiring experience that has supported both my personal and professional development. It has enhanced my leadership skills and strengthened my practice. As part of this journey, I have chosen to focus on improving vaccination uptake within the Gypsy Travelling community - an area where health inequalities persist. In my role as Co-Chair of NHS Tayside’s Central Vaccination Inclusivity Group, this work will remain an ongoing priority, ensuring equitable access to vaccination and better health outcomes for all."

NHS Tayside Executive Nurse Director Simon Dunn said, “I am delighted that Katie and Elaine have been recognised by the Queens Nursing Institute for Scotland. Completing the development programme shows not only their dedication to serving and supporting their patients but also their commitment to improving, learning and building on their skills. We are so lucky to have the benefit of all their knowledge and experience. They do vital work which makes a makes a real difference to the people of Tayside.”

Community nurses and midwives provide a wide range of support to the people in their communities including complex care for older people, support for substance misuse and advocacy for people with learning disabilities. Those working in community mental health, district nursing, school nursing, care home nursing and health visiting are also part of this vital group of health professionals.

Contact:

Nisha Pawar

NHS Tayside Communications

07483 354741