Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research

Queen’s Nurse Accolade for IMP2ART Facilitation Coordinator

Congratulations to Viv Marsh who has been named Queen’s Nurse!

Viv Marsh, Facilitation Coordinator for the IMP2ART Trial (IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine) was awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse during the Queen’s Nursing Institute’s Award Ceremony on the 13th December 2021.

The Queen’s Nurse title is awarded to nurses who have worked in the community for at least five years and who are committed to learning and leadership. 318 new Queen’s Nurses were announced during the ceremony.

A career of commitment to nursing

Viv’s title was awarded due to her track record of clinical nursing, research and education. Qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in 1991 and as a Registered Sick Children’s Nurse in 1993, Viv has held positions in acute paediatrics, school nursing, specialist nursing and clinical education.

In her current NHS role, Viv works with the Dudley Respiratory Group supporting the development of integrated services and standards for paediatric asthma care. Alongside educational and leadership activities, Viv works part-time in primary care diagnosing, reviewing and managing patients with asthma.

Viv also holds roles on the editorial board for a nursing journal and the committee for the National Paediatric Respiratory and Allergy Nurses Group (NPRANG). Viv is also a member of the Asthma UK Council for Health Professionals.

Research within the IMP2ART Trial

Within the IMP2ART Trial team, Viv works with researchers and GP practices to deliver the implementation strategy to improve supported self-management of asthma, thus improving outcomes for patients. Viv’s ability to do this is underpinned by her specialist nursing background, her understanding of general practice teams and the role of the general practice nurse.

Being a Queen’s Nurse

Viv applied for the title because it gives recognition for high standards of community nursing practice and provides access to a leadership network of nurses around the UK. She hopes to fly the flag for nurses and to influence strategies for nursing practice in her field. She said:

To me a Queen’s Nurse is someone who values and demonstrates the core principles of nursing at all times; someone who shows commitment to the highest possible standards of nursing care and someone who has the courage to advocate for their patients and the standards of their care. I have nursed patients with asthma in all healthcare settings for many years and I believe that leadership and education for health professionals is essential to prevent avoidable asthma deaths and enable people with asthma to live well with their condition.

Alongside my clinical and research work, my nursing journey has taken me to education, where I have the opportunity to influence standards of care by designing, developing and delivering courses that will support nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide patients with the best possible care.

Being a Queen’s Nurse enhances my ability to be a voice for nursing and influence others because the award signifies commitment to the nursing profession and to improving standards of care for patients. I couldn’t be more delighted or proud to join the network of brilliant Queen’s Nurses; I am really looking forward to meeting and learning from as many of them as possible as I know my own professional development will benefit from their experience and support.

Viv MarshQueen's Nurse, Facilitation Coordinator IMP2ART Programme, Paediatric Asthma Nurse Advisor to Dudley Respiratory Strategy Group

Viv extends her thanks to Professor Hilary Pinnock and Dr Vicky Hammersley who supported her to achieve the award.

Congratulations to Viv on her new title!

IMP2ART Programme and Trial

The IMP2ART programme is currently recruiting general practices to participate in the UK-wide randomised controlled trial.

Find out more about the programme and the trial on the programme website.

IMP2ART (IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine)