A Chester nurse has been awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse in recognition of the positive impact he makes to patients’ lives.

Alex Haydock, clinical nurse specialist at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) was awarded the title by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and will be formally presented with his award at a ceremony in London later this year.

Alex works for CWP’s 16-19 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and follows in his wife Deborah’s footsteps after she was awarded Queen’s Nurse last year. Deborah is faculty coordinator for academic quality in Health and Social Care at the University of Chester and the joint honour makes them one of only two known husband and wife Queen’s Nurse couples in the country.

Alex’s QN title indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care and continually improving practice. As one of only a handful of Queen’s Nurses working in adolescent mental health, he plans to use this role to highlight the importance of community mental health nursing in this field.

He said: “I began my nursing career in 1977 and have continually taken part in training to enhance my role. I have trained as a community psychiatric nurse (CPN) and a family therapist, as well as specialist roles in cognitive behavioural therapy and other therapeutic interventions.

“Joining the network of Queen’s Nurses gives me the opportunity to raise the profile of the 16-19 service, which I have been involved with since it began as a new concept in 2000. The QN title will enable me to share best practice, identify funding opportunities and take part in further training.”

Interim director of nursing, therapies and patient partnerships at CWP Stephen Scorer said: “I am delighted that Alex has been given this title. On behalf of CWP I would like to extend my congratulations to him and look forward to seeing more nurses follow in his footsteps.

“He joins a number of others to achieve this distinguished award and it is testament to the dedication and commitment to high quality community care that we at CWP are passionate about.”

Chief executive of the QNI Dr Crystal Oldman said: “Congratulations are due to Alex for his success. Community nurses are expert professionals who make a vital contribution to patient health and wellbeing every day. As a national charity the QNI can support them in delivering excellent patient care in their local communities. The Queen’s Nurse title is a key part of this and we would encourage other community nurses to apply.”

The Queen’s Nursing Institute, which traces its origins to 1887 and a grant by Queen Victoria, is a registered charity dedicated to improving the nursing care of people in their homes. Achieving the Queen’s Nurse title helps nurses who are committed to high standards of care in the community to make improvements in practice and to act as leaders and role models to others.

Visit www.cwp.nhs.uk for more information.