Pam is awarded title of Queen’s Nurse for commitment to dementia care

A woman from Oldham has been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).  

Pam Kehoe, who works as a Consultant Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK - the specialist dementia nurse charity, has been recognised for her commitment to high standards of patient care, learning, and leadership in the field of dementia nursing.

Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity.  

Pam joined Dementia UK as the Lead Admiral Nurse for Clinics and Awareness raising in November 2017, moving to the Consultant Admiral Nurse Team a year later.

She has been a Mental Health Nurse for over 30 years and has had a special interest in working with people affected by dementia and their families since 1992.

She has held specialist posts within the field of dementia since 1995, and as an Admiral Nurse since 2002, in both a community setting and more recently in an acute hospital where she was the Consultant Admiral Nurse. 

Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI, said: “On behalf of the QNI, I would like to congratulate Pam and welcome her as a Queen’s Nurse.

"Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country.

"The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.

"We look forward to working with Pam and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.” 

Dementia is a huge and growing health crisis, with 944,000 people living with the condition in the UK - and this number is set to increase to 1.1m by 2030. 

There is no cure for dementia, but there is care. Admiral Nurses are continually supported and developed by Dementia UK to provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia.

They work in hospitals, GP practices and local community services to provide clinical, emotional, and practical support that enables people to live more positively with dementia. 

Pam said: “I am delighted to be awarded with the Queen’s Nurse award by QNI.

"Every day, I feel privileged to be able to work alongside families affected by dementia and to be welcomed into their lives.

"Throughout my career, I have developed a real understanding of how to support people who are living with this devastating condition, and those important to them in a meaningful way.

"My passion for person and relationship-centred care has enabled me to make a real impact in people’s lives.

"I am grateful for this award and will strive to continue to achieve in my profession.” 

If you need advice or support around dementia, you can visit: dementiauk.org/get-support for information resources and to find out how to access the charity’s national Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline and Clinics services.

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