On 14th May 2007 the Queen’s Nursing Institute announced that Sandra Lawton had been awarded the prestigious title of Queens Nurse. Sandra was one of thirteen nurses to be given the title and which is the first time in forty years that this award has been granted.
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) was established in 1887, after Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and was responsible for    

training nurses to look after people in their own homes. These trained nurses were called Queen’s Nurses. The QNI continued this role until 1967 when training became nationalised. The QNI has now reintroduced this title as a way of recognising nurses, midwives and health visitors working in the community who make a special contribution to the care of their patients or clients, and in so doing earn their trust and respect.

Besides her nursing work, Sandra has contributed to the medical community in many ways. She has written books and papers on various matters dermatological. In 1995, Sandra founded a support group for parents and children who suffer from eczema. The group is still going strong and has evolved into what we now know as the “Nottingham Support Group for Carers of Children with Eczema”. Sandra was awarded the public servant of the year award for 2003.  Also in that year Sandra was instrumental in the NSGCCE being presented with the National Eczema Society Local Support Group award. In 2005 Sandra was again the prime mover in the NSGCCE being awarded the British Journal of Nursing Clinical Practice Award. As if that was not enough in April 2006 Sandra co-wrote the book “ECZEMA What Really Works”

Sandra is a Nurse Consultant. These nurses are very experienced registered nurses , who will specialise in a particular field of health care. In addition, the nurse consultants are involved in research and evaluation and contribute to education, training and development. Each consultant role will be very different, depending upon the needs of the employer. All nurse consultants spend a minimum of 50% of their time working directly with patients, ensuring that people using the NHS continue to benefit from the very best nursing skills.

Sandra is an active member of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) eczema guidelines group. She has been a trustee of the National Eczema Society and is heavily involved with a pilot study monitoring nocturnal scratching movements in eczema patients. She has also been involved with the production of the Patient Information Leaflets (PIL's) both as lead author and major contributor.

On hearing of Sandra's award, Professor Hywel Williams of the Dermatology Department at the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham and also head of the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology said

"I am very happy indeed to hear of this recognition of Sandra' terrific contribution to dermatology. I am so proud of Sandra and the many things that she does for us and our patients. It has been, and is, such a pleasure working with such an enthusiastic, caring, hard-working person who still has a sense of humour at the end of the day. And long may it continue".

Profile - Sandra Lawton