^{Pictured: Michelle Cox was awarded the RCN Fellowship (image credit: RCN).}

The winners of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Awards have been announced.

Yesterday (2 June), they received RCN awards in the opening ceremony of RCN Congress in Newport after being nominated by their nursing peers.

RCN President Sheilabye Sobrany presented the awards, saying: "Congratulations to all the award winners tonight. You truly represent the best of nursing."

This year, RCN Fellowships were awarded to Dr Denise Chaffer CBE, Michelle Cox, Dr Roxanne Crosby-Nwaobi, Professor Aisha Holloway, Professor Pamela Smith MBE, Paul Trevatt and Jason Warriner.

The Fellowship recognises innovative individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to advancing the science and practice of nursing and the improvement of health and patient care.

Seven members have received an Award of Merit, the highest honour the RCN can give for voluntary service to the College. This year’s recipients are Natalie Brooks, Charlotte Collings, Siobhan Donald, Sara Gilpin, Connie Mitchell, Phil Noyes and Roaqah Shaher.

The Representative of the Year awards include Learning Representative of the Year, Health and Safety Representative of the Year and Steward of the Year, and these are awarded to our reps who’ve made a difference in their workplace and shown outstanding commitment to the RCN and its members.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the first minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, said: “You’re part of a safety-critical profession. I want the country to understand the value of nursing and the branches of nursing you provide.” 
 
He added: “Thank you for your unwavering dedication. I wish you a happy and successful conference.”