Back in 2023 University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMBT) celebrated the fantastic achievement of Kerry Davies, a UHMBT Nurse, who won a Giving Voice award from the Royal College of Speech and Language. The award was recognition for raising awareness of the devastating effects of Long Covid and more specifically helping to improve the lives of people with speech, language, and communication needs.
Kerry’s determination and vocation to advocate for those living with Long Covid has not stopped there. Her continued voluntary advocacy work has led to her becoming the proud recipient of the Queen’s Nurse award.
The highly prestigious recognition is given to those that consistently demonstrate high standard and person-centred care. Kerry has been seen through her advocacy to show compassion and be an inspiration to others.
Kerry has lived with Long Covid since 2020 and experiences not only the devastating physical and cognitive effects of the illness but also the stigma and prejudices that unfortunately sometimes come with invisible illnesses.
Speaking about the effects Kerry said: “It’s affected my cognition, my communication and processing skills. I have continually tried to push for answers, I am not giving up.”
Kerry has refused to let the debilitating effects of Long Covid stop her speaking out; in fact, rather the opposite, it spurred her to fight for answers: “I will continue to advocate for people who aren’t being listened to, I want to support people who may not be able to advocate for themselves.”
Kerry has volunteered herself and been part of both UHMBT’s and the Queen’s Nursing Institute Long Covid networks. It is originally through these networks that Kerry has been able to deliver local presentations, education and national conferences and create a better understanding of Long Covid by speaking about her lived experience.
As well as sharing her lived experience and raising awareness virtually across the country, Kerry has also worked closely with others to advocate for the cognitive linguistic difficulties associated with Long Covid.
Kerry has spoken out on podcasts which include Julie Taylor-Living with Long Covid and The Royal college of speech and Language Therapists.
Kerry has helped support and create educational tools, research and articles, and is also a co-founder member of Long Covid Nurses and Midwives UK.
Speaking about the difficulties she has faced since 2020, Kerry said: “I have had to navigate a new life completely, re-establish myself personally and professionally. I had my health ripped away from me whilst I was a busy Nurse. I will never return to that person. Nursing was my identity, which I have had to try so hard to cling onto.”
After a long struggle securing the adjustments she needed, Kerry was supported into
an administration role, after a year in that role she applied for a Community Respiratory Nurse within the Community Respiratory team, Kerry’s role is part of the Morecambe Bay Respiratory network expansion.
Speaking passionately about her return to work she said: “People with long term conditions and disabilities need support to work, they need flexibility and adjustments. I am grateful to my team and manager for supporting me and allowing me what I need to continue Nursing. Sadly, this is not the case for many individuals throughout the UK.”
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of the QNI said:
“On behalf of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, I would like to congratulate Kerry and welcome her as a Queen’s Nurse. Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country.
“The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers. We look forward to working with Kerry and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.”
Kerry attended the Queen’s Nursing Awards ceremony online. Speaking about the event Kerry said: “It was a moving and inspiring ceremony; it is an honour to have been awarded the Queen’s Nurse title.
“I look forward to my future relationship with the Queen’s Nursing institute and feel grateful to be part of such an inspiring network and platform. I’m so grateful that the Queens Nursing Institute recognise and value all the advocacy work I have been doing and to be honoured with this title gives me hope. Hope that we are being heard, hope that we are being understood, and hope for a more supportive future.”
Kerry is now in her new role as Community Respiratory Nurse and continues to advocate voluntarily.