Care UK celebrates new Queen’s Nurse

Care UK colleagues are celebrating Prajeesh ‘Praji’ Poulose, the provider’s Care and Clinical Services Lead Nurse, will be recognised as a Queen’s Nurse this November.

 

The title of Queen’s Nurse (QN), awarded by The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, is a prestigious accolade given to individual nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.

There are currently around 3,000 Queen’s Nurses in the UK and with Praji joining them, Care UK is proud to have three working within the organisation, ranging from deputy home managers to clinical management roles.

Praji said: “I am so proud to represent nurses in the social care sector in receiving the Queen’s Nurse title. Having moved to the UK as a nurse, you never think about receiving recognition for your work – you just want to do the best for the residents you’re looking after.

“I’m passionate about sharing knowledge and skills across the organisation, the sector, and beyond. Even teaching a colleague something simple can make a huge difference to a resident’s life. All this contributes to Care UK’s commitment to delivering high quality care to enable residents to live fulfilling lives, which is something I’m privileged to contribute to.”

Rachel Harvey, Care UK’s Care, Quality and Regulatory Governance Director, said: “Praji’s recognition is a testament to his continued hard work. Since joining Care UK more than a decade ago, his dedication to delivering compassionate, high-quality care for residents has not wavered.

“His coaching, policies and training have helped colleagues across the country to deliver the best possible support to residents and their loved ones. This recognition is very well-deserved, and I hope it inspires other colleagues.”  

Praji has been in his current role, Care and Clinical Services Lead Nurse, since March this year. The role, newly created within the Care, Regulatory and Clinical Governance team, holds responsibility for Care UK’s care and clinical strategies and policies, with the continued goal of ensuring residents receive the best care possible.

As part of his role, Praji monitors clinical performance across key areas including risk of falls, medication management, and end-of-life care. He is then able to identify any trends and suggest improvements, including the creation of extra training for colleagues.

He also oversees the internal Seacole Academy of Care and Clinical Excellence, which provides learning opportunities for nurses working at Care UK. Since its inception in 2022, more than 190 nurses have graduated from the programme, with 85 NMC PINS acquired for overseas colleagues. In total, over 1,100 nursing colleagues are now signed up to build on their existing knowledge and training.

Praji started his career as a nurse in India, before moving to England around 15 years ago. After moving on from a small, independent care provider, he joined Care UK as a nurse at Francis Court care home in Copthorne in 2012. Praji quickly progressed, offering to take on more responsibilities at every turn so that he could best support as many residents and colleagues as possible on his career journey. He continued to offer practical support and guidance as he moved into Clinical Lead roles and quality development management.

When asked about the benefits of social care nursing, Praji is clear. “The difference” he says “is autonomy. You’re independent when you’re working in social care – you train yourself to make decisions on your own and to trust yourself more. Although you do benefit from the support of many teams, you learn how to make decisions based on each individual resident and provide truly person-centred care.”

“There is no limit to your progression as a nurse at Care UK. You can use your skills in whichever way you want – operationally, to be a home manager or regional director; or you can focus on the regulatory side of things, coaching and supporting colleagues. There are lots of opportunities here.”

Praji and the other newly recognised Queen’s Nurses will officially receive their awards at a London ceremony on 28^th November.