Filipino in UK feted as Community Nurse of the Year

Dennis Singson | PHOTO: Philippine Nurses Association

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino nurse won the first Community Nurse of the Year Award in the UK-based Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).

Dennis Singson won the first-ever QNI award which recognizes internationally educated nurses working in community settings in England, the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA-UK) has announced in a statement.

The award was delivered virtually on December 13.

“Dennis’ impact on patient care has been profound,” said the nomination citation for the award. “The primary care team deferred to him for management ideas for complex patients.”

“Always calm and reassuring, he makes thorough assessments of risk and safety and provides patients with dependable safety plans. Leading by example, Dennis is reliable, straightforward, and diplomatic,” it added.

Singson is a community mental health nurse and nurse prescriber working with the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team.

He was cited for coordinating the development of a mental health hub consisting of a general practitioner and a clinical pharmacist and upskilled colleagues throughout his practice, improving the care of people with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, according to PNA-UK.

“His work has seen the reduction of antidepressant prescribing and referral to secondary services,” the PNA-UK noted.

Singson is currently the interim vice-chair of PNA-UK.