Former chief nurse made an MBE after 42 years of service to nursing in the NHS
The former chief nurse at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Susan Marshall, who has worked for 42 years in the NHS, was honoured for her services to nursing.
In her retirement, Susan is currently working as a director of nursing for Sussex NHS Commissioners to support integrated and partnership working across Sussex.
Susan has trained as a nurse, a midwife and a health visitor and worked in both acute and community organisations.
Based at Brighton General Hospital, as chief nurse for the foundation trust for six years and was responsible for nursing and allied health professionals, clinical standards and patient safety, infection control and safeguarding in the following hospitals plus in community services: Brighton General Hospital, Bognor War Memorial Hospital, Crawley Hospital, Salvington Lodge Hospital, Zachary Merton Hospital, Worthing, Arundel and District Hospital, Crowborough War Memorial Hospital, Horsham Hospital, The Kleinwort Centre, Uckfield Community Hospital and Lewes Victoria Hospital.
Her career includes being director of nursing in the Black Country.
Susan said: “Receiving this award is the icing on the cake of a wonderful and rewarding career in nursing.
“It wouldn’t be right to accept this honour without thanking and acknowledging all of the wonderful, committed and enthusiastic staff that I have worked with
throughout my career, who have both supported me in my role and made my leadership role easier by their motivation and dedication to patient care.”
Allison Cannon, chief nursing officer for Sussex, said: “Congratulations to Susan on this thoroughly deserved award.
“It recognises the vital work she has done over her career and reflects the thanks of the vast number of patients who have been positively impacted by her work.
“She is an example to us all in the healthcare profession and it should make all of us involved in nursing feel immensely proud.”
Siobhan Melia, chief executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re so proud of Sue for this well-deserved honour.
“Sue has dedicated over 40 years of her life to nursing and retired this year after serving more than six years as our chief nurse, during which time she made such a positive difference to the lives of our staff and patients.”
During her career,
Susan has worked with and supported different NHS organisations to focus on putting patients first; improving quality, safety and patient experience as a result.
Shehasalsoledprogrammes to support the nursing and therapy workforce in areas such as staffing levels and education and training. She has supported reviews in England and Wales and led local infection prevention and control work during outbreaks.
She was also the executive sponsor responsible for a BAME network to provide a forum for staff in the workplace.
Susan is also proud to be a Queens Nurse within the Queens Nursing Institute for her dedication to caring for peopleintheir ownhomesand other community settings.
She was also awarded a Florence Nightingale Scholarship in 2019, which enabled her to continue her work in patient safety and improvement.