The director of care at the Royal Star and Garter, Pauline Shaw, has received a national nursing award as she prepares to leave the charity after 22 years of service.
The outgoing director was awarded the Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Gold Award during a farewell gathering to mark her departure from the Royal Star and Garter, which provides care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.
Related Article: Nurses ‘obliged’ to accept lower paid jobs for improved conditions, warns QICN
Ms Shaw joined the charity – which has homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe – in April 2001. She oversaw the move from the charity’s historic Richmond home, and in 2018 received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to veterans.
She said: ‘It is such an honour to receive this award. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop outstanding nursing and dementia care in the sector.’
Related Article: NHS nurses in Scotland asked to vote on pay offer
Professor Deborah Sturdy, the chief nurse for adult social care for England, presented the award in person.
She said: ‘I am delighted to give Pauline the Chief Nurse Gold Award for her exceptional contribution to adult social care nursing.
‘Pauline has been a pioneer of practice development and dedication in the field. She has been an inspiring leader to many, not only at Royal Star and Garter, but across the sector.’
Related Article: Former nurse appointed as top DHSC civil servant
Ms Shaw, who qualified as a nurse in 1982, will leave Royal Star and Garter on 26 October, with Shirley Hall named as the charity’s new director of care and wellbeing.
