COMMUNITY nurses from the Forth Valley have received recognition for nearly 1,200 years of experience between them.

The 47 nurses, who have 1,190 years of combined service, each received a Community Nursing Award for Long Service, administered by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).

They included district and practice, school, prions, mental health and advanced nurses as well as health visitors and among the group were four with more than 30 years of service under the belt.

An event to celebrate everyone’s achievements was held at Stirling Health and Care Village last week where the nurses were presented with their awards.

Clare Cable, QNIS chief executive and nurse director, said: “Day after day, year after year, this group of dedicated staff delivers care to people in the community in a range of settings.

“Long-serving nurses have seen huge changes though their careers and they have never ceased to develop their practice and to deliver high quality, compassionate nursing care.

“QNIS gives these awards to recognise the commitment of community nurses who continue to provide excellent care through the good times and the challenges.”

The long service award is available to any registered nurse in Scotland who has worked for more than 21 years in the community.

Professor Angela Wallace, nurse director at NHS Forth Valley, added: “These awards are an excellent way of recognising the hard work, commitment and fantastic service provided by our community nurses throughout Forth Valley.

“We are delighted and proud that so many of our local staff have been rewarded for their outstanding service to the NHS.”