WMS PhD student Liz Corrigan has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. Liz, who is due to complete her PhD in 2022, is the General Practice Nursing Professional Lead for the Black Country and West Birmingham Sustainability and Transformation Partnership and has worked in various nursing roles in the local area over the last 25 years. Liz has been honoured with the British Empire Medal for services to healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the crisis she has been responsible for supporting practices to manage their response to the coronavirus, including making their systems and premises safe for patients who needed to attend, and has led on the local staff COVID-19 swabbing hub. She has also been providing support and professional leadership to nurses working in general practice. Her expertise has kept thousands of people across the Black Country and West Birmingham safe.

“I was surprised and very honoured to receive the letter advising me that I had been awarded the British Empire Medal. Nursing is my life, I give it my all every day, so it’s amazing to be honoured in this way for doing my job. It’s no exaggeration to say that these are unprecedented times for the NHS, and I’m delighted to have been able to help other health care professionals to do their jobs safely every day too” said Liz.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs, said: “I’m delighted that nurses are getting the recognition they deserve for their contribution to the country’s COVID-19 response. Nurses offer solutions and a positive approach in any situation, no matter how difficult. Liz is a greatly respected colleague who is held in very high esteem. She is an asset to our team, colleagues and patients.”

Professor Sudhesh Kumar, Dean of Medicine, Warwick Medical School said: “I would also like to congratulate Liz on such a fantastic achievement during such challenging times. It is important that our nurses are acknowledged for their vital contribution.”