Two members of staff at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Debbie Soave and Penny Kaye, have been awarded with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), in the New Year’s Honours List.
Debbie Soave, who works as a Neurological Physiotherapist has worked in the NHS for 25 years and Penny Kaye, who works as a Macmillan oncology dietitian has worked in the NHS for 22 years.
Debbie Soave, Neurological Physiotherapist and Penny Kaye, Macmillan oncology dietitian
Debbie Soave, who has been recognised for her work with people with long term conditions said: “I am honoured to have been awarded an MBE and have been overwhelmed by the lovely messages I have received from my colleagues and friends. I would like to say a huge thank you to Karen Poole, Consultant Physiotherapist in Rehabilitation, for nominating me and for all her support. I have been working at Eastbourne DGH for 25 years as a Specialist Neurophysiotherapist, and I thoroughly enjoy my role with our patients. I have known some of them for over 20 years and they are all an inspiration, dealing with the consequences of Long Term Neurological Conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Muscular Dystrophies. We have a close working relationship with the Eastbourne and South Wealden MS Society and the Eastbourne and Hailsham PDUK Branches and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support over many years.”
Penny Kaye, who has been recognised for her work to continually drive best practice for her patients, said: “It came as such a shock to me when I received the HRH letter in the post about a month ago and brought about a whole roller coaster of emotions that I was not expecting. Fortunately, it is now slowly sinking in and I feel extremely honoured and humbled to have been put forward for and now having received this award. This honour is not only about me, but is an accolade to my profession and all the other health professionals that I work with to bring about the best possible nutritional care and support that we can for our patients.
“I am very passionate about my job in oncology and this honour is a testament to the importance of all my Dietitian colleagues working tirelessly in our ESHT department to provide dietetic expertise and commitment towards treating our patients.”
Karen Poole, Consultant Therapist (Rehabilitation) who nominated both Debbie and Penny said: “I am delighted to hear that both Debbie and Penny have been awarded an MBE. This is an extremely well deserved award, which reflects their strong and passionate advocacy for their patients. On behalf of all their Allied Health Professional colleagues and our organisation I want to say how proud we are of their achievement and to send our heartfelt congratulations. Well done Debbie and Penny!”
Dr Adrian Bull, Chief Executive ESHT said: “I am delighted that two colleagues at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Debbie Soave, Neurological Physiotherapist and Penny Kaye, Macmillan Specialist Dietitian have been awarded MBEs in the New Year’s Honours list for their contribution to healthcare. Debbie and Penny are great representatives of the hard work and dedication given to care for patients by people across the NHS.”