AN OSWESTRY nurse is set to receive a prestigious award for her service in the health sector.

Juanita Lloyd of the Cambrian Medical Centre on Thomas Savin Road will receive the Queen’s Nurse Award next month in recognition of her dedicated work for the NHS.

The 46-year-old has worked as a nurse for the past 20 years and has spent the last 16 years working as a community nurse, treating patients in their own home.

She became a community sister four years ago, which has made her eligible for the award.

After being urged to apply for the prestigious accolade, Juanita was successful in doing so and said she is honoured to be receiving the award.

She said: “To qualify for the award, you need to have worked in the community setting for more than five years.

“You also have to prove you strive for excellence and keep the standards of care high.

“It’s an award which recognises the level of commitment to improve the standard of care in the community, and also commitment to learning and leadership.

“The director of nursing at the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust which I work for urged me to apply for the award, so I did.

“I was helped by my line manager and two patients who all had to give statements to say why I should be awarded.”

The Oswestry-based nurse was left shocked when she heard she will be travelling to London to attend the awards ceremony in June.

She added: “I never expected it at all.

“I think a lot of nurses can often think we’re not good enough at what we do, but to be recognised for the work is fantastic.

“I’m honoured and so, so happy.”

Having worked in the job for two decades, Juanita insists the job can be difficult, but extremely rewarding.

She said: “You absolutely have to be caring constantly.

“It can sometimes be made more difficult by the fact we work in an ever-changing and challenging environment.

“Caring for people in their own homes can sometimes be difficult with the cutbacks and complexities of the job.

“But it is a very rewarding job – I wanted to help others and make a difference to other people’s lives.

“I wanted to do more in terms of my career and felt as though I could give more.

“It is a career I do enjoy, and I strive to better myself every day.

“The award is just a nice bit of recognition and it looks good on my CV.

“It’s an honour to be named on such a prestigious list.

“My partner will be coming with me to the awards ceremony – he’s very supportive, as are all of my family, especially my sister.

“Thanks to everyone for the support from people who I work with, like my line manager Jayne Richards and all of the community team I work with in Oswestry.

“We all strive to improve patient care on a daily basis and provide excellent care.”