Care homes are people’s homes – they’re not hospitals. We’re there to support residents to manage long-term conditions, but also to live well. I feel like my journey is now being fulfilled. It’s really good that people like me can receive this kind of recognition – it shows others in social care what’s possible.
Tsitsi (Tee) Penicela
04 April 2025
King's graduate recognised for outstanding achievement in nursing
Tsitsi (Tee) Penicela, a recent graduate from the Clinical Research MRes within the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care has received the prestigious Trevor Clay Award 2025 from the RCN Foundation for her work in nursing for older adults in social care.
The award, which recognises outstanding achievement in nursing and midwifery, was presented to Tee at the RCN Foundation Impact Awards ceremony in London for her work caring for older adults living in care homes. The event was hosted by Rev Richard Coles and celebrated nurses and midwives making a significant difference across the sector.
Tee’s interest in research and service improvement was nurtured through the Older Person Fellowship Programme at King’s College London, which she completed in 2016–17. This Health Education England-funded programme, led by Dr Joanne Fitzpatrick, allowed Tee to complete a Quality Improvement Project, supervised by Professor Ruth Harris, and gave her a solid foundation in evidence-based practice.
Building on this experience, Tee was awarded an educational grant from the RCN Foundation in 2021, which enabled her to complete a Clinical Research Masters (MRes) at King’s, led by Dr Emma Briggs. For her dissertation, supervised by Professor Harris and Dr Fitzpatrick, Tee used a secondary analysis of Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports to examine how person-centred care is assessed in care homes.
This innovative research increases our understanding of how person-centred care is delivered in care homes for older people and helps adapt NHS-based research findings to the realities of the social care environment.
Recently, Tee’s work was used to design a comprehensive in-house training programme, including a dedicated workbook for care staff, to help ensure that care for older adults is inclusive and rooted in residents’ needs and values.
Speaking on the award, Professor Harris said, "We’re incredibly proud of Tee’s achievements. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication to improving care in residential settings for older people."
"Tee’s work demonstrates the vital role of nursing leadership for older adults living in care home settings. Her commitment to person-centred practice and the professional development of the care workforce is commendable, and it has been a pleasure to support her development through the Older Persons’ Fellowship and the MRes programme," added Dr Fitzpatrick.
Tee's work is currently being written up for publication, and she plans to continue sharing her insights through conferences and publications.
Meet Tsitsi (Tee) Penicela
In this story
Professor of Healthcare for Older Adults
Reader in Older People's Healthcare
Lecturer in Nursing Education