Brighton hospital boss Marianne Griffiths has been recognised by the Queen and becomes a dame in the New Year’s Honours List.
Mrs Griffiths, 58, was brought in almost two years ago to run Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Sussex Eye Hospital and Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
She is also chief executive of the neighbouring Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.
Mrs Griffiths, a nurse by background, said: “I have the privilege to work with so many extraordinary and caring colleagues in the NHS and I am delighted to accept this honour in recognition of everything we achieve together for the people we serve.
“It is truly humbling to share a common purpose with more than 15,000 compassionate, dedicated and talented healthcare professionals at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals.
“Every day and night, they do their best for thousands of patients and any success attributed to me is due to their steadfast commitment to always improve the care and services we provide.
“Working for the NHS can be tough, but there is a generosity of spirit that binds us together and to be awarded this honour for doing my job is a wonderful tribute to all of my colleagues and their endless acts of kindness.”
Alan McCarthy, chairman of the board at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals, said: “We are all delighted to hear that Marianne was made a dame in the New Year’s Honours List.
“This is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and service to the NHS and her contribution to improving the quality of patient care.
“I am sure Marianne would say that her success is built on teamwork and the fantastic commitment and support of colleagues in the trust and those in the partner organisations we work with.”
Her honour – a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) – is given for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity and is the female equivalent to a knighthood.
She has already been recognised in her profession, having been named chief executive of the year by the HSJ (Health Service Journal) at the trade publication’s annual awards.
BSUH has one of the nation’s highest levels of Coroner’s warnings.
Is that what she is being rewarded for?
well done you, hope you get a big pay rise too, for what you do, £150k a year is nothing. Big Congrats x
no doubt we woul all struggle to manage on £12000 + per month