A DISTRICT nurse specialist practitioner from Airedale Hospital has been awarded the title of ‘Queen’s Nurse’ in recognition of her high standards of practice and patient care.
Trudy Balderson, head of community services at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, is to receive her accolade in October at a special ceremony.
She will join the ranks of one of only 14 Queen’s Nurses in North Yorkshire.
The award is given by community nursing charity, The Queen’s Nursing Institute. It indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.
Trudy began her career in 1982 as a registered nurse, then qualified as a registered midwife and district nurse.
In 2002 she became Craven locality manager, looking after a range of community services for adults and children.
She joined Airedale NHS Foundation trust in 2011 to manage adult community services.
She is based at Skipton Hospital and is responsible for the community nursing, intermediate care services and specialist nursing services provided by the trust across Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.
Trudy said: “I feel honoured and very proud to call myself a Queen’s Nurse.
"My nursing, midwifery and management career has been predominantly spent within community services, working closely with people who are often at their most vulnerable, their families, carers and other services to provide the care and support that people need outside hospital."
Jill Asbury, director of nursing at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We're very proud one of our nurses has been given this prestigious title.
"Trudy works hard to improve patient care and this honour is very well deserved."
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