A WARRINGTON nurse has been recognised with one of the most prestigious nursing awards for her outstanding level of patient care.

Community nurse, Sara-Marie Black is one of the only nurses in Cheshire to have received the Queen’s Nurse accolade.

The Queen’s Nurse title recognises nurses who have been exceptionally committed to nursing practice and delivered outstanding levels of patient care.

Sara-Marie has worked as a community nurse in Warrington for more than 20 years and recently used her knowledge and experience to become a project manager at Warrington Together, a pioneering healthcare initiative dedicated to aligning health and social care services across the town.

During the Covid-19 crisis, Sara-Marie has returned to her nursing roots, supporting at Warrington Hospital as a community discharge coordinator.

Sara-Marie said: “I was absolutely thrilled to have been named a Queen’s Nurse, especially in 2020 which is also the year of the nurse.

“I consider it a real privilege to work for the NHS, especially given the current climate, and I am extremely proud to work alongside such dedicated and compassionate professionals.

"This recognition really is the icing on the cake for me, and I was over the moon to share this news with my parents.

"They are so proud, and this has really lifted their spirits while they are isolating. I'm also approaching a milestone birthday, so what a fantastic early birthday present and a great achievement to tick off the bucket list!”

The Queen’s Nurse title is marked against a number of competitive criteria, and successful applicants must adequately demonstrate their dedication to nursing alongside their innovative approach to problem solving and commitment to enhancing patient care.

Sara-Marie is one of just 123 people to receive the award in the UK.

Simon Kenton, programme director at Warrington Together, added: “The Queen’s Nurse title couldn’t go to a more deserving individual. Sara-Marie is the true embodiment of what a care professional should be; kind, considerate and dedicated to her patients.

“Sara-Marie’s knowledge and commitment have also been integral to refining the objectives of Warrington Together, and she has been a huge part of uniting the various health and social care teams in Warrington.

"Our collaborative care approach wouldn’t have been possible without her.”