Proud to present Dorset’s award-winning nurses
Nurses across Dorset have been recognised in two major programmes this year, at the South West Community and Primary Care Nursing Awards 2025 and the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing Annual Awards Ceremony.
Together, these honours shine a light on the compassion, leadership and innovation shown by nurses working in general practice surgery teams, providing expert care, leading services, supporting families and helping people stay well at home and in the community.
South West Community and Primary Care Nursing Awards 2025
Huge congratulations to all the Dorset winners, finalists and nominees in this year’s awards. These achievements show the depth of expertise and dedication across our local nursing workforce.
Award Winners
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Award Winners 〰️
Weymouth & Portland Frailty Team
Working on behalf of all Weymouth and Portland practices
Working Collaboratively Towards the Future - Primary Care Nursing Teams - Winner
The team deliver proactive care across 20 care homes, run Ageing Well clinics and work closely with community partners to improve outcomes. Their integrated work reduces duplication and helps people stay well at home.
Lesley Oakes, Advanced Nurse Practitioner with the Weymouth and Portland Frailty Team, shared her reflections,
“It was nice to see and celebrate collaborative working in the South West, and to receive recognition for the work that we do.”
Tracy Gallacher - Shore Medical,
Patient Centred Innovation - Winner
Recognised for providing exceptional cancer care, improving screening uptake, and driving innovative projects such as screening over 100 patients which led to the detection of Barrett’s Oesophagus and some early oesophageal cancers.
Tracy supports patients and families throughout their cancer journey, and helps with ongoing staff education and support.
Laura Cutress – Sexual Health Dorset East Hub, Bournemouth
Above and Beyond Community Nurse Award - Highly Commended
Laura is new to the team and is leading on LGBTQ+ services - Laura has a ‘can do’ attitude and infectious personality, she is one of our senior nurses and always ready to learn more. Laura stepped up to organising a successful PRIDE sexual health stand supporting over 60 people to test, helping people to stay well.
Felicity Viette - Gillingham Medical Practice
Primary Care Nurse Leadership award category - Finalist
Amanda Boclet – Pan Dorset 0–19 Public Health Team
Children and Young People Award - Finalist
Recognised for shaping the Families First Partnership Programme with dedication, expert insight, and a commitment to improving the lives of children, young people and families in Dorset.
Catherine Thornicroft – Mid Dorset District Nursing Team
Outstanding Healthcare Support Worker (Community) - Finalist
Described as extremely efficient, kind, backbone of the team, approachable, knowledgeable and always going above and beyond.
Heidi Smith –Primary Care
Unsung Hero Award - Finalist
A research co-ordinator whose organisation and commitment ensured key programmes like Cytosponge and bowel screening pilots could take place.
Holly Jackson – West Dorset District Nursing Team
Outstanding ‘New To’ Community Nurse - Finalist
Enthusiastic, proactive, and competent across community nursing practice after joining in 2024. Described as always going above and beyond for patients and her PCN team.
Caroline Gately – Shore Medical
Above and Beyond Primary Care Nurse Award – Nominated twice for both her work in the community and in general practice.
Caroline works as an advanced practitioner supporting the most vulnerable people at one of the most challenging times of their lives. She provides expert palliative care and is described by patients and families as compassionate, making a difference to their lives during difficult times. Her care is described as gold standard.
Janine Patenotte – Sexual Health Dorset
Unsung Hero Award - Nominee
Approachable, calm, and skilled in active listening, Janine helps young people and colleagues feel safe and supported.
Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing Award
Leadership recognition for Clare Mechen
Clare Mechen, Queen’s Nurse, Lead Nurse with the Dorset General Practice Alliance and The Adam Practice, was honoured at the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing Annual Awards Ceremony after completing the Leading Strategically Programme, supported through a National Garden Scheme scholarship.
“The programme helped me reflect on my development and expand my leadership skills, in particular around compassionate leadership. It embedded the importance of ensuring nurses are central to empowering healthy populations, essential to the future NHS and need to be at the table with a strong, confident voice. Through the program I have been lucky to meet some truly inspirational nurse leaders and the colleagues on the course have become lifelong friends. Each one of them demonstrated unique leadership qualities and compassion to deliver the best care possible.”
We are also proud to celebrate Michelle Court, Lead General Practice Nurse at Christchurch Medical Centre, who has been awarded the honorary title of Queen’s Nurse.
This national title recognises nurses who demonstrate outstanding commitment to high standards of practice, leadership and patient care in the community.
Receiving the Queen’s Nurse title reflects Michelle’s dedication to supporting patients, leading nursing practice and helping shape high-quality general practice care in Dorset.
These awards highlight the vital role nurses play in helping people stay well, supporting long-term conditions, offering expert clinical care and working closely with patients and families.
The Alliance is proud to celebrate everyone recognised this year.
Congratulations to every nominee, finalist and winner.