Tributes paid to nurse leader who championed care of children
The nursing profession has been paying tribute to influential nurse leader Dame Professor Elizabeth Fradd, following her death on International Nurses Day.
A former Nursing Times contributor, Dame Liz held a variety of children’s nursing, midwifery and health visitor posts between 1973 and 1983 before moving into leadership.
“Liz was a force for good and I hope that she knew what a difference her support meant to us”
Alison Morton
Her senior jobs included assistant chief nursing officer for England at the Department of Health and Social Care and director of nursing and lead director for reviews and inspections at former system regulator the Commission for Health Improvement.
Over the years Dame Liz contributed her expertise to many national reviews including chairing the Health Visitor Taskforce launched by the government in 2011 and being a member of the Prime Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery between 2009 and 2010.
At the time of her death, Dame Liz was holding a number of roles and titles across healthcare, education and public service.
She was a fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV).
In addition, she was vice-chair of the UK children’s charity Together for Short Lives, the vice lord-lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and an honorary professor at the University of Nottingham.
In 2009 Dame Liz was awarded a damehood for services to nursing and healthcare.
Tributes have come pouring in for Dame Liz following her death on Sunday 12 May – which was both her 75th birthday and International Nurses Day.
Dame Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: “I’m sad to hear this sad news. Dame Liz was someone I looked up to as an aspiring chief nurse.”
She described Dame Liz as a “compassionate leader” and a “wonderful role model for the nursing profession”.
Howard Catton, chief executive of the International Council of Nurses and former policy chief at the RCN, said Dame Liz had provided him with support and advice during his time at the RCN when “she had no need to and much greater demands on her time”.
Elizabeth Fradd
“Now I realise it’s one of the traits that mark out the greats,” added Mr Catton.
Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of the QNI, described Dame Liz as her “friend, confidante and mentor”.
She recalled how Dame Liz had looked after Anthony Nolan – a boy who died in 1979 before a bone marrow donor could be found for him – and then went on to help his family set up the Anthony Nolan Trust. The charity runs a stem cell register and has helped thousands of people around the world access life-saving transplants.
Dr Oldman added: “I thanked her personally a few years ago when my sister underwent a stem cell transplant which would never have been possible without this pioneering work.
“Liz is leaving an enduring legacy. Her impact on the profession and on the individuals, families and communities we serve – and her kindness and humour – will never be forgotten.”
Also paying tribute, Professor Pat Cullen, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, said Dame Liz was an “inspiration to all who knew and worked with her”.
“In the national roles she held and, more recently, as an independent health service advisor, Dame Liz dedicated most her professional life to the improvement of patient care,” added Professor Cullen.
“The decorations that Dame Liz received for her exceptional contribution to nursing and healthcare are a testament to her vision, commitment and skill.”
Dame Liz receiving her honorary fellowship from Pamela Goldberg, then chair of iHV
Alison Morton, chief executive of the iHV, described Dame Liz as a “committed nurse and health visitor, a staunch advocate for the profession and for our work at the iHV”.
“Liz was a force for good and I hope that she knew what a difference her support meant to us,” added Ms Morton.
Meanwhile, Andy Fletcher, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, painted a similar picture of Dame Liz as someone who was always willing to help and support others.
He said: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by Liz’s untimely death.
“She was such an inspirational and widely respected figure in the children’s palliative care sector and she will be much missed by us all.
“She was always a source of wise guidance, support and advice, which she always gave generously with such kindness and compassion.”
