News and events

An NHS nurse who was been at the forefront of remodelling community nursing in and around Hertfordshire has been recognised as a finalist in a national award.

Sarah Browne, Chief Nursing Officer, was one of a small number of finalists shortlisted for The William Rathbone X Annual Award for Excellence in Executive Nurse Leadership of Community Nursing Services by members of the Queens Institute of Community Nursing at a prestigious ceremony on Friday (9 May).

Sarah works tirelessly to raise the profile of community nursing and supports many local initiatives including the setting up of the trust’s ‘virtual wards’ which through remote monitoring and nursing support has avoided countless people being admitted to hospital. 

The award, which launched in 2023, gives national recognition of the impact of strategic nursing leadership in the delivery of excellent community nursing services. 

Chief Executive, Elliot Howard-Jones said: “We are so fortunate to have Sarah on our senior management as a person with extensive community nursing experience, who understands the challenges and opportunities like no-one else.

“I’m delighted that Sarah’s work inspiring and developing the community workforce of the future has been recognised by making it on to this award shortlist.”

Chair, Dr Nicolas Small said: “Sarah is an ambassador and strong voice for community nursing. Her unparallelled knowledge and expertise was used extensively by us and partners to help us roll out an effective local Covid vaccination programme.

“We’ve learnt so much from Sarah and that will only continue. It’s great that her contributions have now been recognised at a national level.”

The award was presented at the 2025 William Rathbone X Annual Lecture and Award Presentation in London.