Our team

We are a small team who work closely together to enable the smooth and successful running of QNIS. We are all passionate about supporting community nursing and midwifery and about making connections that help address health inequalities.

Together we focus on promoting community nursing and midwifery careers, delivering programmes and projects, helping to shape policy, and providing fellowship for retired Queen’s Nurses who trained before 1969.

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Dr. Sarah Doyle

QNIS Chief Executive and Nurse Director

Sarah is a mental health nurse and has worked in a range of roles in clinical practice, national workforce development, training, supervision, consultancy, academic teaching and research. She has led projects and programmes of work for NHS Education for Scotland and completed her doctoral research with a scholarship from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Sarah has a particular interest in relational, psychodynamic approaches and in the creation of conditions that support sensitive, expert provision of health and social care especially for those facing poverty and adversity.

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Dawn Cruse

Business Manager

Dawn oversees finance, procurement, HR, and health and safety, ensuring smooth operations. She manages office logistics and building upkeep, creating a safe, efficient workplace. Her role supports the team’s success by overseeing key administrative functions.

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Emma Legge

Professional Nurse Lead (Leadership)

Emma is responsible for the ongoing evolution of transformational development programmes for QNIS, including the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme, and works with Queen’s Nurses across Scotland to strengthen the network. Emma is a volunteer VBRP facilitator, has a graduate certificate in Health Action Training and is a trained Capacitar facilitator.

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Helen Reilly

Head of External Affairs

Helen manages all of QNIS’ external communications and engagement. It is her role to advocate for community nursing and midwifery. Helen has many years’ experience of working in communications and public affairs. She is an accredited member of the CIPR and is Co-Mentoring Lead on the Women in Public Affairs Scotland committee.

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Lynn Gilmour

Digital Communications Officer

Lynn is responsible for QNIS’ digital output, including social media, the website and publications, and provides support across the organisation. She also has extensive experience in digital accessibility and is a member of the Scottish AI Alliance Community Advisory Group. Lynn has 20 years’ experience in journalism, communications, PR, IT support, events and project management.

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Carol Crowther

Staying in Touch Coordinator

As part of the Staying In Touch Co-ordinator job share, Carol’s main focus is on ensuring that our family of retired Queen’s Nurses remain connected with the Institute and continue to feel valued. Carol is a retired nurse and for many years was the Associate Nurse Director for NHS Lothian. In this role she had many connections with both Community and volunteer services. In her spare time, she now looks after her small grandchild and serves as the lead for community engagement with her local Village Hall committee (a registered charity).

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Alison Jarvis

Staying in Touch Coordinator

Alison is one of two part-time Staying in Touch Co-Ordinators at QNIS, focused on maintaining connections with retired Queen’s Nurses who trained at the Institute before 1969. Through her work, she helps ensure they feel a strong sense of connection and fellowship. With a background in various community nursing roles, Alison brings a wealth of experience to her position. In addition to her role at QNIS, she contributes to her local community as a Director on the Boards of two local charities. Alison is also proud to hold the title of QNIS Honorary Fellow.

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Louise Hall

Business Support Officer

Louise provides administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team, support to QNIS’s programme delivery and secretariat support to Council and Committee meetings. Louise has an extensive administrative background working in the public and third sector.

Work with us

We are all passionate about supporting community nursing and midwifery and about making connections that help address health inequalities. If you’re interested in making a difference and believe you’d be a great addition to our team, please take a look at our latest job opportunities.

View latest job opportunities

Our Patron

We are delighted to have Her Majesty The Queen as the Patron of QNIS, continuing the Royal Family’s long-standing support for our organisation.

Meet our Patron