Rowcroft Hospice celebrates two nurses awarded prestigious Queen’s Nurse title

Rowcroft Hospice proudly announces that two of its dedicated nurses, Barbara Argent and Jane Butland, have been awarded the esteemed title of Queen's Nurse. This prestigious honour recognises excellence in community nursing, celebrating professionals who demonstrate exceptional standards in patient care, lifelong learning, and leadership.

Barbara and Jane join a distinguished group of Queen’s Nurses at Rowcroft, including Karenne Weaver, Angelina Blair, and Vicky Bartlett, who have upheld the title for several years. The recognition highlights their unwavering commitment to palliative and community care, particularly for patients at the end of life.

Barbara, honoured for her patient-centreed approach, said: "At Rowcroft, we focus on putting patients and their families at the heart of everything we do. Being awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse is a proud moment for me, and I’m so grateful for the trust and support from my colleagues, managers, and especially the families we care for."

The Queen’s Nurse designation involves a rigorous application process, requiring detailed evidence of professional practice, as well as feedback from managers, patients, and families. It reflects not just clinical expertise but also a deep commitment to compassion and improving care outcomes.

Karenne Weaver, Rowcroft’s Head of Community and Hospice at Home and a Queen’s Nurse for three years, praised the new honourees: "It’s inspiring to see Barbara and Jane receive this recognition. They both bring so much passion and expertise to their work. Being a Queen’s Nurse is not only about excellence in nursing, it’s about empathy, compassion, and striving to improve care for everyone."

The presence of Queen’s Nurses at various levels of Rowcroft’s operations – from frontline care to senior leadership – ensures that compassionate, high-quality care remains a core ethos. Their voices shape the hospice’s strategic direction, ensuring patient experience informs decision-making at every level.

Rowcroft now boasts five Queen’s Nurses within its team, a remarkable achievement for a hospice of its size. In addition, the hospice is supported by nine nurse prescribers, with two more currently undergoing training. These professionals enhance Rowcroft’s capacity to respond promptly to patient needs, particularly in out-of-hours care.

Mark Hawkins, Rowcroft’s CEO, said he was proud of the recognition: "Having two more of our nurses recognised with the Queen’s Nurse award is a testament to the extraordinary professionalism and dedication that our team brings to their work every day. Jane and Barbara have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their patients and the wider community, and we are so proud of them.
These awards are not just individual accolades – they represent the collective effort of the whole team to deliver outstanding, patient-centred care. They highlight Rowcroft as a centre of excellence, where dignity, compassion, and clinical expertise come together to support those at the end of life."

This recognition comes amid financial challenges for hospices nationwide, including Rowcroft, where rising costs, stalled funding, and increased demand for end-of-life care services have strained resources. The hospice continues to rely on community support to sustain its vital services.

For more information on how to support Rowcroft Hospice, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk.