Nursing academic among only five living recipients of QICN gold badge
A nursing academic from London South Bank University (LSBU) has been awarded one of the highest honours bestowed by the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN), recognising exceptional service and national impact in community nursing.
Alison Leary MBE, Professor of Healthcare and Workforce Modelling, has received the Gold Badge of the Institute in recognition of her outstanding contribution as director of the International Community Nursing Observatory (ICNO) — a role in which she helped shape national and international understanding of the community nursing workforce.
She is one of only five living recipients of the award, which is conferred in recognition of meticulous and sustained service to the QICN.
The ICNO is the QICN’s dedicated research body, established to gather and analyse evidence on the community nursing workforce to inform policy and practice.
Professor Leary has led the ICNO since its inception in 2019, stepping down in March 2026 after six years of leadership. During her tenure, Professor Leary led the development of 11 influential reports, including the 2025 Trap Door report on career regression in nursing, which highlighted systemic barriers affecting retention and progression within the profession. The ICNO’s reports are widely used by policymakers, professional bodies and workforce planners across the UK.
Her final report, due to be published later this year, will examine the current state of General Practice Nursing amid ongoing workforce pressures and service transformation.
Professor Leary said: “Over the past six years at the ICNO, it has been a privilege to work with the QICN to highlight the vital, and often unseen, work of community nursing. I believe we have helped to build a strong foundation of evidence to support greater understanding and future policy development for these essential services. I am delighted to receive the Gold Badge, particularly given the distinction of those who have received it before me.”
Dr Angela Ridley, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at LSBU, added: “Professor Alison Leary has made a significant and lasting contribution to community nursing, particularly through her work in developing the evidence and insight needed to inform policy and practice. The award of the Gold Badge is a fitting recognition of her impact.”
The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing is a registered charity dedicated to improving the nursing care of people in the home and community, with a longstanding role in supporting professional standards, leadership and innovation in community nursing.
Professor Leary received the award at the William Rathbone Tenth Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony, held in London on 14 May 2026 and attended by national and regional nursing leaders and figures from across health and social care.
Steph Lawrence MBE, QICN Chief Executive (pictured above with Alison), said: “Alison’s contribution to the QICN and to community nursing more widely has been exceptional. Her work has strengthened the evidence base, influenced national thinking and ensured that community nursing remains visible, valued and understood, and we are deeply grateful for her dedication and expertise.”