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A specialist nurse from Wirral University Teaching Hospital has won a national award. The award recognises her contribution to diabetes care.
As reported by Birkenhead News, Sue Browne, who is a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, was awarded the Rising Star Award at the 2026 Diabetes Nursing Awards. The niche ceremony celebrates the best diabetes nurses and teams across the UK.
Browne's contribution to diabetes care, aside from her day job, was developing a programme called the Directory of Diabetes. The digital directory has transformed how people access diabetes guidance across the Trust. It is a free platform which has helped standardise clinical practice and support healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based treatment.
Sue recently showcased the resource at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Liverpool.
The diabetes nurse began her career at WUTH as a newly qualified nurse, first working on the Gastroenterology Ward, where caring for patients with Type 3c diabetes sparked a passion that would shape her career.
Now, as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, she supports patients across the Trust while championing education and service improvement, and contributes to local and national audit and research projects.
On the award, Sue said: "I was honestly very surprised to receive the award. There are so many wonderful diabetes nurses across the UK doing incredible work to improve the lives of people living with diabetes, and I think they all deserve recognition."
She also said she felt "honoured" to have received the award in recognition of her work at the hospital. Also, Sue noted the award is reflective of the support she's received from her colleagues and the supportive diabetes team at the hospital.
Sue also paid tribute to those who have supported her career, saying: "The teams I've worked with over the years have been wonderful, but I'd especially like to thank Sister Garner, Malcolm Simpson and Kay Hannon for their support, guidance and encouragement. I wouldn't be where I am today without them."
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: "This is a fantastic and richly deserved achievement for Sue. To receive national recognition as a Rising Star is a reflection of her passion, innovation and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people living with diabetes."
