Sue Browne, Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Sue Browne is Diabetes Specialist Nurse and a member of the Trust’s Sunflower Network which supports staff with disabilities. She said: “After having some struggles as a teenager I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult.” She started working at the Trust as a student nurse during COVID as an Aspirant Nurse and once she qualified, joined full-time. “I shared my autism diagnosis during the recruitment process”, she added. “It’s a hidden disability. My managers have been amazingly supportive. I worked on the Gastroenterology Ward as an inpatient nurse and my ward manager worked with me to put together a reasonable adjustment plan. So I felt really well supported. When I first started, I was afraid to tell people because I wasn’t sure how they’d react. But I needn’t have worried. When I did, it was a really positive experience.”

Sue now works full time in her role as a diabetes specialist nurse, a busy role and one that involves working in lots of areas around the hospital supporting patients who are experiencing an acute deterioration in their health, as well as supporting patients  on the ward and the staff caring for them. “I work with the medics regarding diabetes medications and the complications of diabetes. I can also provide education and equipment such as glucometers to the patient”, she said.