Sue Swanson has been elevated to nursing royalty.
She has been made a Queen’s Nurse, one of just over 1,000 in England recognised for their commitment to high standards of community nursing by the Queen’s Nursing Institute.
Sue has worked for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust for the past 13 years of her 35-year health career.
She said: “It is a fantastic career. If you are a people person and have a caring persona, there is no better place to be than nursing in the community. You are making a difference in people’s lives.
“The NHS is heading more and more towards community nursing and care at home in its Long Term Plan.”
Sue, 57, originally trained as a seamstress. But she started looking for a new challenge through a combination of boredom and a decline in the industry.
A friend suggested nursing, and Sue agreed to go to an information day. “I found myself being measured up for a uniform and having an x-ray, and I started the next week,” she added.
For the past four years Sue has worked as a clinical education lead based at LPT’s offices in Barrow-upon-Soar, training the next generation of community nurses and nurse leaders. Before that she worked as a community nurse and sister in various locations including Market Harborough, Wigston and Blaby.
Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Sue and welcome her as a Queen’s Nurse.
“Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country.
“The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers. We look forward to working with Sue and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year.”
Outside of work, Sue contributes to village and church life in Whetstone. She is married with two grown-up children and one grandchild.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides community health, mental health and learning disabilities services for the one million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We have a budget in excess of £275 million and employ approximately 5,500 staff. For more information visit: www.leicspart.nhs.uk.
Raising Health is our registered charity (number 1057361) which raises funds to support LPT’s excellent care initiatives, equipment and innovations which go above and beyond core NHS provision, to enhance the experience of our patients, service users and staff. www.raisinghealth.org.uk
For further information contact: Brendan McGrath, communications manager, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Tel: 0116 295 0801, E: brendan.mcgrath@leicspart.nhs.uk