Matron of care home investiture held locally
THE matron of St John’s Residential Home has been presented with her MBE at Government House.
Dr Sue Fleming was recognised in the New Year Honours List for her services to residential care during the Covid pandemic.
She has more than 35 years’ experience as a nurse, and led a strategic initiative to protect all local nursing and care home residents, ensuring that all hospital patients were tested for Covid-19 on discharge or prior to admission to residential homes.
The investiture was carried out by the Lt-Governor Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder.
‘Dr Sue Fleming played a vital role in safeguarding some of the most vulnerable members of our community during the pandemic,’ he said.
‘She had just the right skills, experience and personality needed to lead the newly-formed States’ care home cell, which was an extremely difficult and pressurised role, with high stakes.
‘Sue is a remarkable person, whose energy, leadership and ingenuity were exemplary.
‘It’s unusual for MBE investitures to take place here at Government House, so I was particularly pleased to be able to present this award to her.’
Among her other achievements throughout the pandemic included launching her own campaign to recruit former care staff, sourcing PPE despite local shortages, and distributing iPads to residential homes to keep residents in touch with their families through lockdown.
Recipients of awards during the pandemic were given the option to attend an investiture at Buckingham Palace.
Dr Fleming elected to receive her MBE at the Government House, accompanied by her friends, family and some of the colleagues who worked alongside her during the pandemic.
