Date of release: 20 September 2022
“An exemplar for all generations whose legacy is a template for us all to live and work by”. These words form part of a moving tribute to the late Queen from Dr Cheryl Etches OBE.
Cheryl, retired Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2012. She received her honour from Princess Anne, at Buckingham Palace with her family.
She received her award for helping to transform the Trust to become one of the highest performing NHS Trusts in the West Midlands and nationally.
Since retiring in March 2018, Cheryl, from Wombourne, has returned as Senior Nurse Advisor to the Support Team in the leadership partnership between Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
Like many across the nation - and the world- she has been upset by the loss of the late monarch and was keen to pay her own tribute.
“The late Queen, Her Royal Majesty, was an exemplar for all generations. She lived her values of loyalty, dedication and commitment to the end. She has left the legacy of a template for us all to live and work by,” said Cheryl.
“She has been a trailblazer for women before feminism was a fashionable word, and she earned the respect of people across the world.
“Personally, her passing has given me time to reflect and re-evaluate my own choices and efforts and inspires me to elevate all areas of my life. Thank you Ma’am.”
Cheryl retired as Chief Nurse after 38 years of service in March 2018 and had been Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive at Wolverhampton for 13 years.
Recalling her investiture, Cheryl said: “It was the most nervous I have been in my life but it was amazing! After being in a room, you’re told exactly what to do and then to stand and wait to be called through.
“The Princess had been briefed so she knew I was a nurse from Wolverhampton but she asked why I was receiving the award. I told her it was for infection prevention and saving lives in the hospital.
“She said ‘It’s all about discipline, isn’t it?’ I said ‘No, it’s all about leadership’ and she smiled and said ‘Yes, you’re right’.”
Cheryl also attended a Royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2017 in the company of the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla after nominating Lynne Fieldhouse, who was Head of Nurse Education at the Trust, for an award. Lynne took her as a guest.
