2021 RCN Nursing Awards: search for the best innovations in mental health nursing is on
Posted 22 April 2021 - 16:33
Entries are open for this year’s mental health nursing category of the RCN Nursing Awards. Be in it to win it
Entries are open for this year’s RCN Nursing Awards, formerly the RCNi Nurse Awards.
The mental health nursing category is a popular category, so, if you have what it takes to be our winner, know someone who fits that bill, or if you want a team to be recognised for its achievements don’t delay and get your entry in.
‘Entries should demonstrate the value of a particular initiative on improving patient care’
To win the award is an accolade as it recognises all that is best about nursing practice in the UK. Winning also attracts attention to your work.
Entries should demonstrate the value of a particular initiative on improving patient care.
Award-winners from differing areas of mental health practice
Picture: Neil O’Connor
Past winners have come from differing areas of mental health practice. Last year’s winner was Geoff Brennan of the Safewards team at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and executive director for Star Wards, whose work on conflict resolution for more than three decades impressed the judges.
The 2019 winner was Rachel Luby of East London NHS Foundation Trust, for her work transforming the attitudes of forensic staff and service users to sex and sexuality.
And in 2108 it was matron Rebekah Bewsey and the Brookside Adolescent Inpatient and Young People’s Home treatment team, part of North East London NHS Foundation Trust. They received the award for transforming a young people’s service rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission to ‘outstanding’ in 18 months.
All category winners qualify automatically for the overall RCN Nurse of the Year title, which last year was won by Ana Waddington of the Royal London Hospital’s emergency department for her work helping young people deal with knife crime and violence.
Due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, the RCN Nursing Awards ceremony will be held virtually in October. Deadline for entries is 7 May.