OBE for Evelina director who has transformed care for sick and premature babies

A director of Evelina London Children’s Hospital has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for transforming care for sick and premature babies.

Suzanne Sweeney, 48, from Bexley, has been awarded an OBE for her role as Network Director of the London Neonatal Operational Delivery Network.

The network, supported by NHS England, based at Evelina London, has 27 hospitals across London which provide specialist neonatal care.

It was set up in 2013 to improve the health of premature and sick babies.

Suzanne, pictured above, is also leading a programme of work to transform neonatal services across the capital.

She was also recognised for ensuring neonatal services and staffing across all of London were adequate during lockdown.

Suzanne said: “I’m thrilled to have received such an honour, I honestly thought it was spam when I first saw the email telling me I’d been appointed an OBE.

“I’ve never felt prouder to be part of the NHS, and I think it’s wonderful that many NHS staff have been recognised in this year’s birthday honours list.

“I have worked in many medical specialties, but neonatology is the most rewarding.

“Babies born prematurely are so vulnerable. Everything we do for them at this stage will impact their entire life, so it’s really important to provide the best care we can for every child, for every family.

“It is an honour to work alongside the talented clinical colleagues across the London Neonatal Operational Delivery Network, who deliver cutting edge medicine to London’s babies, and long after their shifts have ended find the time to support me in the transformation of neonatal services.”

Suzanne has worked for the NHS for 15 years in senior roles in major trauma, emergency medicine and at NHS England.

Suzanne was also recognised for her voluntary work with the Sea Cadet Corps – she is chairman for Bexley and Lewisham and for the London Area – which aims to give young people the best start in life through nautical adventure and fun.