Sheffield Children’s Safeguarding Named Nurse awarded prestigious Queen’s Nurse title

We’re delighted to announce that Meeta Palawan, Named Nurse and Community Safeguarding Service Lead at Sheffield Children’s, has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse!

The Queen’s Nurse title is awarded by community nursing charity, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, to Nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.

Meeta has been a Nurse since 1982 and an important part of the Sheffield Children’s team since 2011. She is a Registered General Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, Health Visitor, and holds a Masters’ degree in Safeguarding.

Safeguarding means protecting an individual’s health, wellbeing and human rights – enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care and is everyone’s responsibility.

Working with Safeguarding colleagues and our Chief Nurse, Meeta ensures that Sheffield Children’s has the systems and processes in place to safeguard children, young people and adults.

This includes delivering our statutory and legal safeguarding responsibilities relating to quality and safety, as well as supporting internal and external safeguarding activities.

Meeta also works with colleagues from statutory agencies and other external partners to fulfil our multi-agency safeguarding responsibilities. This includes our contribution to the Sheffield Safeguarding Hub – a place for professionals and members of the public to report safeguarding concerns about a child or young person.

Meeta said: “When I was nominated by Sally Shearer (Sheffield Children’s former Director of Nursing and Quality before she retired in August) to apply for the Queen’s Nurse title, I realised that I have the qualities and values needed to be a Queen’s Nurse.

“I am committed to the quality of care that children, young people and their families receive, and I take every opportunity available on a daily basis to improve their care, experience, welfare and safety.

“I feel honoured and privileged to be given the Queen’s Nurse title as it is only granted to a selected group of Registered Nurses. The title is special – it acknowledges and recognises commitment to improving care, experience and safety of children, young people, and adults. Remaining child and family-focused is vital in safeguarding children and their families.”

Nurses awarded the title benefit from access to a supportive professional network, developmental programme, bursaries, learning and networking opportunities. All Nurses, Health Visitors and Midwives with five years’ experience working in the community are eligible to apply.

Yvonne Millard MBE, Chief Nurse at Sheffield Children’s, said: “This is amazing news and very well- deserved – I couldn’t be prouder of Meeta! She is an inspiration to Sheffield Children’s and the entire nursing profession. Congratulations Meeta!”