PROFESSOR Kath McCourt of Northumbria University has been presented with a CBE for services to nursing after spending a lifetime dedicated to the profession on an international level.
Prof McCourt, executive dean of the university's Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,  said: “I was absolutely delighted to receive this award. I regard this as a huge honour, not just for myself, but for the nursing profession as a whole, which is increasingly being recognised for the high calibre and quality of its work across the globe."

Prof McCourt is a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Council member for the Northern Region and was appointed Chair of the RCN Council - the governing body – in October 2011.  Taking the high-profile role as Chair she represents all nurses and healthcare assistants across the UK.