A specialist nurse at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) has been recognised nationally after winning the Rising Star Award at the 2026 Diabetes Nursing Awards. The accolade honours emerging leaders who demonstrate innovation and significant impact early in their specialist careers.
Local innovation reaches national stage
Sue Browne, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse at WUTH, was commended for developing the Directory of Diabetes, a freely accessible digital tool designed to streamline access to diabetes guidance across the Trust. Judges highlighted the platform's role in standardising practice and supporting clinicians to provide consistent, evidence-based care for patients living with diabetes.
“I was honestly very surprised to receive the award. There are so many wonderful diabetes nurses across the UK doing incredible work to improve the lives of people living with diabetes, and I think they all deserve recognition.”
Ms Browne’s resource was recently showcased at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Liverpool, bringing local practice to a national professional audience. The award follows a clinical career that began at WUTH as a newly qualified nurse on the Gastroenterology Ward, where her experience with Type 3c diabetes influenced her move into specialist diabetes work.
Practice, education and service improvement
Alongside her direct clinical responsibilities, Ms Browne supports colleagues across the Trust by championing education and confidence in diabetes management. She is also involved in local and national audit and research projects aimed at improving outcomes for people with diabetes.
- Project: Directory of Diabetes — a digital, freely accessible clinical resource
- Award: Rising Star, Diabetes Nursing Awards 2026
- Impact: Standardisation of clinical practice across WUTH and wider professional exposure at national conference
| Role | Focus |
|---|---|
| Diabetes Specialist Nurse | Patient support, staff education, service improvement |
| Project lead | Development and rollout of Directory of Diabetes |
The recognition places a spotlight on the Trust’s approach to diabetes care and the value of clinician-led innovation. For patients and staff in Wirral, the award signals an ongoing commitment within WUTH to improving consistency and quality of diabetes services through practical, digital solutions.
While the Rising Star prize celebrates an individual's contribution, the judges and Ms Browne herself have emphasised the collaborative nature of the work and the supporting role of colleagues across the Trust in delivering improved care.
