A DEDICATED nurse from Reading has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list to recognise her incredible work during the pandemic.
Clare Johnstone, 41, from Mortimer works as the head nurse for Infection Prevention and Control at Central London Community Healthcare NHST and has been recognised for her services to nursing during Covid-19.
READ MORE: FULL list of Berkshire recipients
READ ALSO: Reading's Royal Berkshire Hospital pioneers use of Covid ultrasound.
During the pandemic, and whilst pregnant with her second child, Clare helped to develop the first London community drive through Covid swabbing centre.
This model was then used to open three more sites in London and to help other NHS drive in centres.
Clare also set up a central hub where, using volunteers, the Trust produced individual PPE packs for staff visiting patients at home.
The packs included things such as gloves, aprons, and masks for staff.
A production line was set up in a church hall in Parsons Green at the end of March where volunteers helped make the PPE packs which were distributed using volunteer drivers.
Speaking about her award, Clare said: “I was so shocked when I opened the email and really very proud.”
She said her husband is the only person she has told as she “couldn’t quite believe it”.
Clare also did weekly staff webinars describing and explaining changes, responding to new knowledge and shortages as well as giving direct support to clinicians.
The mother of two is currently on maternity leave having given birth to a baby boy in June.
She said she worked up until the end of May and her “husband was amazing” support when she was working long hours.
Clare added: “It’s such an honour to get this but I’m just one part of an amazing team within my own organisation.
“It was a real honour to work together in my organisation and to see how everybody really pulled together and went to the next level and made sure our patients got really good high quality care they needed and also how we all looked after each other as well.”
Clare is unsure who nominated her but the person/s that did described her as a “truly remarkable female clinical leader admired by her team and the executive”.
The Queen's Birthday Honours List recognises the outstanding achievements of people across the UK and a BEM is awarded for a 'hands-on' service to the local community, according to the government website.
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