A NEILSTON nurse has been honoured for her dedicated service to others.

Marie MacAninch has clocked up more than 20 years in primary care with the NHS, helping countless patients along the way.

The last two years have been spent as a senior practice nurse at Neilston Medical Centre, making her a familiar face in the local community.

Now her caring efforts have been recognised through the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) Community Award for Long Service.

Marie’s practice manager, Rosaleen Kelly, said she has had “a wonderful impact” on Neilston patients.

“She has brought fresh ideas with her that have rejuvenated bits of our practice and has been a pleasure to work with,” added Rosaleen.

“If her last two decades in the community have been anything like her last two years, she should be extremely proud of her achievements and we should be very grateful for her outstanding service.”

Marie began her NHS career at the Victoria Infirmary, in Glasgow, where she trained as an enrolled nurse before working in the attached Mansion House Unit.

She has also worked as a treatment room nurse at Waverley Park Medical Practice, in Glasgow, and as a practice nurse at The Ker Practice, also in Glasgow, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Adult Nursing.

Marie’s next move was to the Ailsa Surgery, in Glasgow, where she completed the Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification, before making the switch to Neilston.

She said: “Since moving into practice nursing, I have learned so much. As well as the formal qualifications I have earned, just working with so many patients over the years has been a huge education in itself.

“Hopefully my learning will continue in the years to come.”

The Community Award for Long Service is presented by QNIS, a charity promoting excellence in community nursing, to any registered nurse who has worked in the community for more than 21 years.

Dr Kerri Neylon, deputy medical director (primary care) at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said nurses like Marie are often “the glue that keeps the practice team together.”