Bajan nurse honoured in UK

A Barbadian nurse has been awarded an honorary British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the United Kingdom (UK’s) National Health Service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kevamae Sobers, who is a diabetes specialist nurse with the Nottingham University Hospital (NUH), was a powerful advocate for international nurses during the pandemic.

She was their voice, raising concerns with senior leadership to ensure issues were dealt with, such as going on to a temporary COVID-19 register and being re-deployed to other trusts.

Sobers, 49, grew up in the St Michael districts of Kensington New Road and Browne’s Gap Black Rock and Husbands Gardens, St James, with her mother Margaret Alleyne, who was extremely proud and elated on hearing the news of her daughter’s latest achievement.

A past student of Westbury Primary and The Alexandra School, she moved to Nottingham in 2020 where she joined University Hospital’s NHS Trust. She started on an orthopaedic ward at QMC before moving to the diabetes team, an area she is most passionate about.

Sobers moved to Nottingham in 2020 where she joined University Hospital’s NHS Trust. She started on an orthopaedic ward at QMC before moving to the diabetes team, an area she is most passionate about.

The British Empire Medal (BEM) is awarded for hands-on, active involvement in the local community that has made a significant, positive difference in people’s lives.

Speaking in an interview, Sobers said: “I came to the UK for opportunities to learn more about diabetes, complete a PhD and to create links with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. I never imagined recognition like this.

I am truly humbled to receive this prestigious award. I want to accept this on behalf of all the international nurses who stepped up during the difficult time of COVID-19. I couldn’t have done it without them all, we are like a family.”

Sobers will collect her award at a presentation later this year surrounded by friends and family who will be travelling from Barbados.

Last week, Sobers and her husband Adrian Sobers, attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace to meet fellow BEM recipients.

“Despite the weather, it was a lovely day. Meeting other recipients and members of the royal family, including Princess Beatrice, was a memorable moment. Looking back to when I first joined NUH, a lot has changed and the entire international nurses cohort has progressed greatly. Reminiscing on what I have achieved in my four years at NUH has made me realise how much I have accomplished. I look forward to more to come.”

Sobers, whose career spans over 27 years, is a former student of the Barbados Community College and Brighton University in the UK. She has worked as a registered nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since January 1997. She has worked in the care of the treatment of diabetes, specialising in the areas of clinical research and healthcare. For just over four years part of her remit in relation to diabetes management was her allocation to the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre, in Warrens for two days a week.

She has received awards for nursing care throughout her career including Employee of the Year in 2007 and was recognised by the Rotary Club of Barbados in 2019 for her work in diabetes care.

(NHS, SS)

pandemic. (GP)