The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has appointed a new director of nursing and deputy chief executive, it has been announced.
Steph Lawrence, who has worked as a nurse for almost 40 years and in the community for 22 of those, said she was joining the charity’s leadership team at an ‘exciting time’ for community services.
Ms Lawrence is both an adult and children’s trained general nurse, as well as a district nurse. She continues to practice clinically in her district nurse role.
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She retired from her post as chief nurse at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust in August 2024, and previously worked for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as the national professional advisor for community services.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Lawrence said: ‘This is an exciting time for community services and having recently retired from my role as chief nurse for a community trust feel I have a lot to offer for what the future for community nursing in its widest sense could look like.
‘If we are to truly realise that shift from hospital to community funding and resource must follow.
‘As nurses we need to ensure our voice is heard at all levels and feel this is a great opportunity for me to do this and support others to do the same.
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‘I am excited about this opportunity and cannot wait to get started.’
Ms Lawrence previously led the ‘national trailblazer group’ for the District Nurse Apprenticeship standard which is now being delivered in many English universities.
She also co-chaired the Clinical Reference Group for the National Community Nursing plan for several years and received an MBE for services to district nursing in the Queen’s 2022 Jubilee Birthday Honours.
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Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of the QNI, said: ‘I am delighted that Steph is joining the QNI team and bringing a wealth of expertise in community and primary care nursing practice, leadership, regulation and education at such a crucial time in the QNI’s evolution.’
Ms Lawrence officially started in post on Monday 21 October 2024.
