Two nurses from Erskine Veterans Charity, Ashley Kvasiliene and Kim Barron, have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
This esteemed honour recognises their outstanding commitment to community nursing and the exceptional care they provide to veterans at Erskine, Scotland’s foremost veterans charity.
Ashley Kvasiliene, House Manager at Erskine Edinburgh Home, and Kim Barron, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at The Erskine Home in Bishopton, were selected earlier this year to participate in a demanding nine-month development programme organised by QNIS.
After successfully completing the programme, both were presented with the Queen’s Nurse title during a ceremony held on Thursday 28th November, at the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh.
The Queen’s Nurse title has a proud heritage, dating back to the late 19th century, when specially trained district nurses delivered essential care to vulnerable communities. Revered for their compassion and skill, these nurses became trusted figures, providing healthcare and promoting wellbeing directly in people’s homes. QNIS revived the Queen’s Nurse programme to celebrate contemporary community nurses who exemplify these high standards and traditions of care.
This year, 21 community nurses were chosen to complete the intensive programme, which includes residential workshops, online sessions, and individual coaching. Each participant identified an area for development that would significantly benefit those in their care, with a focus on promoting equity and inclusion.
Ashley’s project focused on “Workforce Wellbeing,” while Kim’s centred on “Leadership and Development.” Both areas are critically important to their roles at Erskine, as they enhance the quality of care provided to veterans while supporting their colleagues.
Derek Barron, Director of Care at Erskine, expressed his pride in their achievement:
“Ashley and Kim exemplify the values we hold dear at Erskine—compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the people we care for. The Queen’s Nurse title is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication. Their development projects are already making a positive difference, not just for the veterans we serve but for the whole Erskine team.”
Erskine is immensely proud of Ashley and Kim for their remarkable accomplishment, which highlights the exceptional calibre of its nursing staff and their dedication to delivering the highest standards of care to Scotland’s veterans.