Royal College of Nursing Council fellowship for Laura Serrant

A  huge congratulations to Professor Laura Serrant OBE who has recently been recognised as a Royal College of Nursing Council (RCN) Fellow.

Laura is the Regional Head of Nursing and Midwifery for NHS England’s Workforce Training and Education Directorate (formerly HEE) in the North East and Yorkshire region.

Laura attended one of the first graduate nursing programmes, at Sheffield City Polytechnic, where she qualified in 1986. Since qualifying as a nurse, Laura’s work has included tackling the stigma associated with HIV. She has also carried out research across many fields including the sex work industry, and alcohol and drug dependency.

She has also worked tirelessly to improve equality and diversity within the NHS. In 2017, Laura was appointed chair of the CNO’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group and was awarded an OBE for her extensive contributions to nursing in 2018.

The RCN fellowship is the highest honour that the can be bestowed on members. Fellows are inspirational leaders who have been recognised for making exceptional contributions to nursing and improving health care.

Last year, a poem celebrating the Windrush generation that Laura composed was recited at the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at London Waterloo Station in the presence of HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at London Waterloo Station to witness the unveiling.

Laura also won the Chief Nursing Officers’ Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2021 Nursing Times Awards. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.