A LONG-SERVING Bolton nurse has received a “royal” title in recognition of her dedication to care.

Lesley Royle-Pryor, who works at Dr Kumar’s GP Practice in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, has been given the Queen’s Nurse award for her high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.

She has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years in a number of roles, and in addition to working in Bolton, she is a lead practice nurse for the NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, and recently took up a clinical role at a GP practice in Salford.

As part of her role in Bury, she supports nurses working in general practices to help make improvements and drive up standards.

Mrs Royle-Pryor’s application for the award from the Queen’s Nursing Institute was supported by testimonials from staff in the NHS as well as patients she cares for at the practice in Bromley Cross.

She said: “I am passionate about providing high quality compassionate care, improving patients’ experiences and supporting other nurses working within general practice to excel.

“Nurses play a vital role in the care provided by GP practices and I know there are so many nurses out there who are equally committed to the values of the Queen’s Nurse title.”

Mrs Royle-Pryor, from Worsley, received her award from Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer for England during a ceremony at London's Millennium Hotel last month, and was one of 65 nurses to receive the award.

Catherine Jackson, executive board nurse for Bury CCG said: “Her commitment to community nursing, the delivery of excellent patient care and to learning and leadership in nursing is unswerving.

“This is an award she is absolutely worthy of and I hope that it will help to raise the profile of the important role of nurses who work in general practice locally.”