Chief nurse receives MBE
Posted: 30 December 2021
West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust’s chief nurse, Tracey Carter, was
presented with a Member of the order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Princess
Royal for her leadership, empathy and passion as a nurse over the past 30 years.
A member of West Herts since 2014, Tracey is highly regarded from ward to board
by her peers and the wider nursing community.
Tracey was awarded her MBE at Windsor Castle on Wednesday 11 November along with
others who have contributed to the country, particularly throughout the global
pandemic.
Her leadership has helped the trust to better recruit, retain and transform its
nursing workforce helping to dramatically reduce the vacancy rate for junior
nurses.
Tracey is very active in helping to identify and support the development of new
roles to widen and transform the trust’s nursing workforce. She has championed
the introduction of the role of nursing associates which enables healthcare
support workers to gain a nursing qualification.
She has put into place a major support programme for nurses and healthcare
assistants, introducing leadership and management training for band 6 and 7
nurses which has developed a leadership pipeline and improved retention.
New nurses and midwifes are now supported in the first year of their role
following qualification thanks to an active preceptorship programme launched by
Tracey.
She understands what makes frontline staff tick and drives pride within the
organisation, looking for opportunities to recognise people’s efforts and to
celebrate them. A champion of diversity, she is committed to improving
opportunities for everybody and helped to instigate Black History Month
celebrations within the trust.
Tracey, who is also director of infection prevention and control said: “I felt
very privileged to receive an MBE. No man is an island, and my contribution has
been hand in hand with everyone I have worked with and who has supported and
believed in me. Team West Herts are the special ones whom I feel share this
honour with me.
“It was such an honour to be at Windsor Castle with so many others who have
given so much to the country and used their skills to support abroad as well. It
was wonderful to talk to them and share the day.”
Ends
- For more information, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.net. Out of hours, please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on call communications manager.
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals: Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 500,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,000 staff and volunteers.
- For more information about our hospitals, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk. You can also join our followers on Twitter (twitter.com/westhertsNHS) and find us on Facebook (facebook.com/westhertsNHS)
