A nurse consultant at Frimley Health, Suman Shrestha, has been awarded an MBE for his services to critical care as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Suman, 43, from Crowthorne in Berkshire, has worked in intensive care at Frimley Health for 21 years and is also a professional lead for critical care at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Suman Shrestha, Nurse Consultant in Critical Care, said: “I’m extremely honoured and thrilled to receive an MBE. I’d like to thank my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career and I would like to dedicate this award to them.
“I’ve been working in intensive care for 21 years, but the last two years have been the most challenging and tough for everyone in healthcare. To receive this award is really special, it gives recognition for all the hard work we have put in during these difficult times and encourages me to continue providing the best possible care for our patents.”
Suman was brought up in Nepal and comes from a Gurkha family. His father is a retired Gurkha officer who served in the British Army. Suman was sponsored by a British family to come to the UK in 1997 to study nursing and became one of the first Nepalese male nurses in the country. He worked in intensive care during the pandemic and, on top of caring for COVID patients, he also trained more than 400 redeployed doctors and nurses so they could help in intensive care unit. Through his work at the RCN, he also played a key role in the country’s response to COVID by contributing to the development of national guidelines and strategies.
On a voluntary basis, Suman has also spearheaded the advancement in critical care and infection control in Nepal and last year received ‘International Human Rights and Nursing Awards 2021’ in recognition of an outstanding commitment to human rights and exemplifying the essence of nursing’s philosophy of humanity. Those behind awards said he had contributed significantly to the development of health and social care both in Nepal and the UK.
Lorna Wilkinson, our Chief of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “A huge congratulations to Suman, I’m delighted that he has been awarded an MBE for his services to critical care. Suman is a credit to both Frimley Health and the wider nursing profession. He has had an outstanding career spanning two decades at the Trust and this award is testament to his dedication and commitment, as well as the contribution he has made to intensive care.”