RCN Wales Board Member receives special recognition award

Published: 05 August 2009

The Royal College of Nursing in Wales is pleased to announce that Janet H. Evans has received the RCN Welsh Board annual special recognition award (SRA) at RCN Wales'conference in Cardiff. 

Jan Evans trained as a mature student in the 1980s at Neath General Hospital in the West Glamorgan Authority. Once registered, as an RGN, she gained experience as an E grade staff nurse on the male medical ward. She then obtained a post as Deputy Matron in a newly opened luxurious nursing home in Pembroke. 

Two years later Jan was appointed to the post of matron.  She then attended numerous relevant courses and developed many varied managerial skills. 

Six years later and a change of job provided the chance to work with the Parker Brothers, who were seeking to diversify their business from a hotel to a nursing home. The Park House Court Nursing Home, in Tenby, opened in April 1997 and developed quickly to provide 70 beds for elderly nursing care, within which were 25 beds for elderly mentally ill clients.  Now, semi-retired, as Consultant to the Directors, at Park House, most of Jan's work time is involved with professional staff development and training.

In addition to her day job, Jan Evans is an active RCN Board Member representing Care of the Older Person and an avid RCN learning representative. She is currently a member of the Welsh Board Health and Social Policy Group and also Chair the Independent Sector Forum Group supported by RCN Wales. 

Tina Donnelly, RCN Wales Director, said:

"Members such as Jan epitomise what the special recognition award is about. She is very knowledgeable about her work with older people and very passionate about patients receiving quality health care. We are very lucky to have nurses such as Jan as advocates for patients." 

RCN Member Tony Sawyer, Director of Employee Services with Park House Court, who nominated Jan for the SRA, said:

"I share an office with her, very few days go by without calls coming in wanting her thoughts or opinions on this and that nursing related issue. The breadth of what she does within the RCN suggests to me that she is well received or she would not be there. Her extended retirement, her work load, her interaction with those throughout the care sector all support the fact that her contribution has been, and continues to be, sought after.  I was proud to be able to sponsor this application."