A NURSE has been personally awarded her MBE by the Queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Avril Devaney, who works as a director of nursing, therapies and patient partnership at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, featured in the new year’s honours list for services to the nursing of people with mental health problems.

And Avril was awarded her MBE in person by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

She said: “We had an amazing day at the palace – everyone was helpful and kind and I felt very privileged to stand before the Queen.

“Working in mental health services has always been much more than a job to me and it was a lovely surprise to have my contribution recognised in this way.

“I look forward to continuing to work in mental health services in Cheshire and Wirral.”

The MBE is the latest in a long line of accolades Avril has received for her work in the trust, which provides specialist services in Warrington.

She was first recognised in 1999 after she received the Queen’s Nursing Institute Award for Innovation and has also worked to make Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust the first smoke-free mental health trust in England.

David Eva, chairman of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re all so proud of Avril for being recognised with an MBE and indeed for her many achievements throughout her career.

“Avril’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that people who use our service receive the highest possible care continues to be a source of inspiration for everyone involved with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership.”