A PAIR of nurses based in West Fife have been selected to take park in a prestigious scheme and earn the coveted title of Queen's Nurse.

Kerys Russell, from Rosyth, an Upper GI Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist working in several communities across the Kingdom, and Leanne Patrick, a Gender Based Violence Nurse Specialist working at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, will begin the nine-month programme this month.

The Queen’s Nurse course only takes on just 20 candidates and helps nurses to develop their professional skills and deliver outstanding patient care in the community.

Those who gain the title are committed to learning, leadership and excellence in patient care.

Kerys, who was offered a place after attending a selection event in Edinburgh, said: "Being one of 20 people chosen to be part of the programme in Scotland this year is just amazing.

"And it’s really nice that I will have Leanne to share that experience with too.

"I try and give 110 per cent every day and when I saw the programme was about change making, being a role model and a positive inspiration, it really resonated with my own values.

"This is also about learning more so we can do the best we can for our patients – and ultimately that’s why I do my job."

Leanne, who is from Clackmannanshire and also works at Whyteman’s Brae Hospital in Kirkcaldy, was admitted to the course last year but deferred her start date.

She said: "I hadn’t ever thought about applying, but I was encouraged to by colleagues and I’m glad I did.

"I am really excited about the opportunity.

"The development programme will help us grow our confidence and self belief which will, in turn, benefit the people who we look after.

"And it also gives me the chance to bring attention to the issue of Gender Based Violence too."

Lynn Barker, Associate Director of Nursing, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We’d all like to congratulate Kerys and Leanne for their selection.

"Their achievement helps demonstrate the high calibre of nurses we have and the high quality of nursing that is being delivered across Fife.

"We are proud to continue our association with the Queen’s Nursing Institute and greatly value their programme which helps our nurses develop and make a positive impact on our communities."

Emma Legge QN RGN, Head of Leadership Programmes, Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, added: "We are delighted that Leanne and Kerys will be undertaking the Queen's Nurse Development Programme in 2023.

"Both are clearly driven to create positive change and committed to tackling complex health inequalities with and for the communities they support.

"They will be joining a growing network of Queen’s Nurses in Fife who are all change makers within their communities.”