DISTRICT nurse Helen Ballinger has been awarded the title of Queen's Nurse for her work in the community.

The award by the Queen's Nursing Institute has only been awarded to 40 nurses nationwide.

It is given to people who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to patients and to continually improving their health practice.

Helen is on secondment from Overton Park Surgery in Cheltenham where she worked as a District Nursing Sister.

She is now supporting district nursing teams who look after patients with long-term conditions in Gloucestershire.

Helen, who lives in Winchcombe, said: "I feel honoured to be one of a few nurses across the country who have been awarded this title since it was brought back.

"It means that community nursing is linked with excellence and that as a discipline community nursing is recognised.

"I'm hoping to use this opportunity to link with other Queen's Nurses and share skills across the county."

As a Queen's Nurse, Helen is able to join up with other Queen's Nurses to help promote community nursing across the country.

Jan Stubbings, chief executive of Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, said: "I am delighted Helen has been awarded this title. Community nurses are a key part of the primary care delivered to patients in Gloucestershire and this is an endorsement of the excellence they strive to achieve."

Queen's Nurses include district nurses, practice nurses and health visitors.

Helen joins District Nurse Anna Gibbins, Nurse Practitioner Alison Cooper and Practice Nurse Heather Mitchell as community nurses in Gloucestershire that have been awarded the Queen's Nurse title since 2007.

Heather has also been awarded the Queen's Nurse for her work with the charity Kate's Hospice Care.

The official presentation of the award will be held in London at the Lansdowne Club, Mayfair on October 14.