After over 40 years caring for the needs of patients, NHS Suffolk’s chief nurse and director of patient safety and clinical quality, has decided to discharge herself from the role and retire.

Welsh born and bred and an avid rugby fan, Sue Hayter, qualified as a nurse in Cardiff in 1969, and her career has included working in Scotland, England and at time overseas at an RAF hospital in Cyprus, before returning back to the UK to begin a career in community nursing.

Over the last five decades, and since coming to Suffolk in 1981, Mrs Hayter, has worked in a variety of roles, including former matron of Hartismere Hospital and managing community services in the west of the county. She has committed her time to ensure that quality of patient care and safety to deliver an improved experience for patients and that NHS Suffolk is doing the very best for the people in Suffolk.

Looking forward to her retirement, Sue said: “I feel privileged to have spent my career in the nursing profession and am especially proud of the developments in healthcare both in delivery and quality in Suffolk over the years.

“However, I am looking forward to my retirement and being able to do all those things that I have never had time to do in the past, I will still be maintaining a key interest in health services in Suffolk where I intend to stay.”

Carole Taylor-Brown, chief executive of NHS Suffolk, said: “Sue has made an enormous contribution to the work of NHS Suffolk. Her deep sense of empathy, compassion and commitment make her a role model for nurses throughout the county. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that patient care always remains the number one priority. I wish Sue a long and happy retirement.”

For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk