I came to apply as I believe that research has a place within the heart of all aspects of care we provide as midwives and nurses at GSTFT. And I would like be able to support colleagues to apply and receive the Nightingale award – so what better way to be an advocate than to do it myself.
Claire Singh, Research Matron for Reproductive Health & Childbirth at GSTT
17 May 2019
King's midwives recognised as prestigious Nightingale Nurses
Two midwives from the School of Life Course Sciences have been awarded with title of ‘Nightingale Nurses’.
King’s midwives Annette Briley and Claire Singh have been presented with the Nightingale Nurse Award, honouring their outstanding work at Guy’s & St Thomas’ (GSTT) NHS Foundation Trust. The awards are given to recognise exceptional nurses within the Trust.
Launched in 2017, the award is named after trailblazer nurse Florence Nightingale who established her first nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1859 – the direct ancestor of the current Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at King’s.
For the first time, 5 midwives were included in the 50 recipients of this prestigious award – two of which are CRN funded research midwives.
To receive the award, nurses complete a programme of work accredited by King’s. Once they finish the training, nurses obtain a badge and certificate and have the honour of being known as a ‘Nightingale Nurse’.
A special ceremony was held at Governor’s Hall on May 10 to mark International Nurses Day and announce the latest winners.
Annette and Claire were equally delighted to receive this honour and hope it will inspire other research midwives and nurses to apply in the future, ensuring that research delivery remains at the forefront of care provided at GSST.
As the research Matron for Reproductive Health & Childbirth at GSTT, Claire wants to see more nurses follow in her footsteps.
Working as a research midwife in the Trust for more than 20 years, Annette has been involved in national and international clinical studies that have shaped care and contributed to the guidelines.
“Applying for the Nightingale Award seemed appropriate to ensure that research remains at the heart of the evidence-based care we provide and career pathways for nurses and midwives at GSTFT.”
Gillian M Prager, President of The Nightingale Fellowship said the award is a great way of developing fantastic nurses and a fitting addition to Florence Nightingale’s incredible legacy.
“The Nightingale Nurse title is highly regarded by the national and international nursing community, so it was very important to us that nurses and midwives providing outstanding care continue to be honoured with the title.”