Consultant recognised with Chief Executive Award after almost 40 years at UHNM

A University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) consultant who is retiring after almost 40 years of service has been recognised for her contribution to the care of older patients.

Dr Marilyn Browne, consultant geriatrician, was presented with the Chief Executive Award by Helen Ashley, Acting Chief Executive, ahead of her retirement from UHNM.

During her career Dr Browne has helped develop services for frail and older patients, championed patient safety and trained and mentored generations of doctors.

The nomination was led by Olivia Cook, Senior Sister on Ward 225 (Trauma and Orthopaedics), with contributions from staff across geriatric medicine, Ward 225, major trauma, quality and safety, falls prevention and speech and language therapy.

Olivia said: “Dr Marilyn Browne has made an exceptional contribution to patient care, service development, education and leadership throughout her career at UHNM.

“She has dedicated herself to improving the care and safety of older patients, while sharing her knowledge and expertise with generations of healthcare professionals.

“What stands out is that everything Marilyn has done has been focused on improving the lives of older patients and ensuring they receive the dignity, respect and high-quality care they deserve.”

During her career Dr Browne has helped develop services for frail and older patients, including orthogeriatrics, Major Trauma In-Reach and surgical in-reach services. She has also led work around falls prevention and dementia and delirium care across UHNM.

From 2004 onwards she played a pivotal role in establishing the dedicated Femoral Fragility Fracture Service, helping to improve care for frail patients before and after surgery. She has also been a longstanding advocate for older patients within UHNM’s Major Trauma Service, an in reach service started in 2020. She was also involved in setting up the service to provide Geriatrician in reach to Laparotomy patients aged 65 or over.

Alongside her clinical work Dr Browne has trained and mentored generations of medical students and doctors, with all four of UHNM’s current consultant orthogeriatricians having trained under her supervision.

Helen said: “It was a pleasure to present Marilyn with a Chief Executive Award in recognition of her contribution to UHNM over almost 40 years.

“On behalf of everyone at UHNM, I would like to thank her for her many years of service and wish her all the very best for her retirement.”

Olivia added: “Dr Browne leaves a legacy that will continue to benefit patients and staff for many years to come.”

Speaking after receiving her award, Dr Browne said: “I am delighted to receive this award, it has been a pleasure working with patients and staff at UHNM, as well as helping to develop services for older people over the years.

“The services we provide today are very different from when I first started, and now include FEAU, SDEC, in-reach services across the Trust, admission beds and clinics.

“Working with patients and their families has been a wonderful experience. None of these service developments could have been achieved without the unwavering support and hard work of the whole multidisciplinary team, including medical and nursing colleagues, AHPs, medical secretaries, administrative and managerial staff, and many others.”