Tribute: Sue Varvel

After qualifying as a nurse at University College Hospital (UCH) in 1975, Sue went on to train as a midwife at Edgware General Hospital then gained experience including acute medicine, intensive care, paediatrics and theatres.

Sue moved to Wendover in 1982 with her young daughters Rebecca and Claire. In 1988, she returned to work with a newly established organisation called Iain Rennie Hospice at Home; joining the original five pioneer nurses who had formed the service. After working in a number of roles, and in 1998 taking a degree in specialist nursing practice, Sue became Director of Nursing in 2000.

In 2007 Sue took a sabbatical from her role in an effort to make a difference to people with life-limiting illnesses in the developing world. With a grant from UCH she spent 7 weeks in India and Sierra Leone. CanSupport, who deliver palliative support in Delhi, invited Sue to attend their annual conference and deliver workshops to doctors, nurses, social workers and volunteers. In Sierra Leone Sue spent time visiting displaced communities, introducing

the palliative care service via paramount chiefs in tented communities that had sprung up during the civil war and had no running water or electricity. Her personal project was to develop the dispensary; writing protocols and policies and training staff in the management and use of medication. This was a major step in structuring the use and storage of medicines and allowed them to apply for and obtain a morphine licence which they achieved during her stay. Having access to this stronger pain relief for patients would go on to considerably improve patient care.

In 2010 Sue was in the first cohort to complete a Masters degree, Hospice Leadership, at Lancaster University Management School. Her dissertation created a blueprint for Hospice at Home, in particular the 24-hour element, and her work in this area resulted in a merger with Grove House in 2011 when the service became Rennie Grove Hospice Care. Sue was Chair of the National Association for Hospice at Home, regional representative on the National Council for Palliative Care, Network Liaison Lead for the Mount Vernon Cancer Network and Chair of the Bucks Palliative Care Provider Board. By October 2015 Sue had become the first President of the National Association for Hospice at Home, a position offered in recognition of her dedication and commitment to the association and her expertise in the field. She retired in 2019 following 31 years with Rennie Grove.

During lockdown 2020, Sue returned to support colleagues at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as a PPE Safety Officer. She was so proud to be part of such a wonderful team of people and it epitomised her drive to help others in times of need. Sue was so well loved by all who knew her and was as dedicated to her family and friends as she was to her profession. She adored her daughters and was so proud of her five grandchildren: Oliver, Gennaro, Oscar, Rose and Roman.

Sadly for all who knew her, Sue died on 8 October following a short illness with pancreatic cancer. In her final days she was supported by the organisation she had dedicated her career to; at home, in her place of choice, in comfort and pain free.