The VCHA’s Bernadette Knight has been officially recognised for her outstanding work for the military community in the South West.  On 1 March 2020 she received a Commander’s Commendation for Meritorious Service.  This is one of the most prestigious awards given by the military to civilians.

Bernadette Knight, VCHA Regional Lead for the South West, is an experienced, senior NHS manager who has been a registered nurse for 40 years.  She joined the NHS and trained at the University of Wales.  She specialised in intensive care nursing (ICU) and worked in Cardiff, London (where she gained a post graduate ICU diploma), and in Bristol, before moving into clinical research. 

She then undertook national and regional roles as Regional Chief Nurse, National Deputy Head of Nursing, and Head of Care, for private and third sector providers.  She gained further qualifications in information management, and membership of the Institute for Learning and Management.  

Bernadette returned to NHS management in acute, community, ambulance, mental health and primary care, for both commissioners and providers, focusing on quality, patient safety, and service improvement.  Most recently, Bernadette has been working in GIRFT special projects across multiple Alliance programmes in the South West.