Highfields Lake with Trent Building in the background, University Park

Professor Dame Elizabeth Fradd, 1949 – 2024


May 13th, 2024

The university is saddened to hear of the recent death of Professor Dame Elizabeth Fradd, former Vice-President at UoN and High Sheriff of Nottingham.

Dame Liz was an alumna of the University of Nottingham, graduating with an MSc in Health Care Policy and Organisation in 1994 before devoting her professional life to the continuous improvement of healthcare.

During her career, having trained as a children’s nurse, she held a variety of registered nurse, midwife and health visitor posts before supporting the nursing profession nationally, becoming Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England and serving as Director of Nursing / Lead Director for reviews and inspections at the Commission for Health Improvement.

She was a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Queen’s Nursing Institute and the Institute of Health Visiting.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shearer West said: “This is sad news and a tragic loss.  Liz was a highly committed and engaged member of Council who cared deeply for the success of the university.  On a personal note, I thought of Liz as a friend and mentor, who always demonstrated integrity and was willing to challenge with compassion. She will be much missed by all who worked with her at the university.”

In 2009 Liz was awarded the DBE for services to nursing and healthcare.

Her more current roles included commissioner on the Midlands Engine Health Inequalities Post Covid Commission, Vice-Chair of the UK children’s charity Together for Short Lives, membership of Southwell Cathedral Council and Nomination Committee and clinical advisor to Nourish.

Previously, Dame Liz was the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire for 2020/21, Vice President of Rainbows Children’s Hospice, and an advisor to Justice Defenders.

Dame Liz was well known to our university community, having served as a University Council member from August 2009 until December 2018 and as University Vice-President from January 2012 through to the end of her tenure in December 2018.

In addition, she was an honorary professor in the School of Health Sciences since 2000 to the present day and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the university in 2003.

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16 Comments

May 14th, 2024 at 11:46 am

Anne Marie Rafferty

I am shocked & deeeply saddened to hear this tragic news. Liz was a great leader and titanic source of inspiration and energy for nurses in many different fields. She sprinkled grace & stardust wherever she went. She will be much missed for her wisdom & judicous judgement.

May 14th, 2024 at 1:35 pm

Susan Oliver

Liz was a fantastic role model and great supporter of all nurses. Liz was kind enough to write the forward for the first biologic guidance document that I was involved in with the Royal College of Nursing. She was immensely supportive, kind, generous and very incisive. She always had a great smile and a positive attitude, and I’m know the nursing community will deeply miss her. She has been an active Fellow of the RCN Fellows and was only recently engaged in some of our meetings via Zoom – so I was saddened and surpised to hear of her death.

May 14th, 2024 at 2:55 pm

David Benton

I am sorry to hear of Liz’s passing. We worked together as Regional Nurses in the 90’s and she was an inspiration. Friendly and a direct talker that got things done. A true collaborator and constantly focused on the needs of patients and the advancement of the profession. We have continued to connect with each other through the RCFN fellows’ group and even if it is a year or two between meetings it was always as if we had just seen each other only a day or two ago. I will miss her, her broad smile and her infectious laugh.

Rest in peace – David

May 14th, 2024 at 9:33 pm

Ruth May

I’m sad to hear this sad news. Dame Liz was someone I looked up to as an aspiring Chief Nurse. A wonderful role model for the nursing profession. A compassionate leader and an inspiration to many. Ruth

May 15th, 2024 at 7:10 am

Hugh McKenna

Very sad news about Liz. She was a great nurse, a great leader and a great person. Specifically, Liz was very wise and nursing and higher education cannot afford to lose such individuals. The well-being of patients, students and members of the public were always central to her decision making. She was courageous, yet strategic in her leadership. I’ll also miss her sense of humour. My thoughts are with her but also her family. Rest in peace Liz; you’ll be greatly missed.

May 15th, 2024 at 8:33 am

Linda Allsop

So sorry to hear of Liz’s passing. Whilst working in the School of Health Sciences I was in contact with Liz and what a lovely lady. A true Lady. Condolences to her family and colleagues.

May 15th, 2024 at 10:09 am

Peter Cartwright

This is very sad news. I got to know Liz when we were both members of the University’s People Strategy Board. She struck me as a very principled and extremely able leader who was always on top of the (frequently difficult and challenging) issues being discussed. She was an excellent listener as well as a very good speaker.

May 15th, 2024 at 10:50 am

Rachel Munton

I am saddened to hear this news – Liz was an inspirational woman leader who facilitated opportunities for others – me included. She was tenacious to professional principles and maintained an energetic commitment to service improvement and children’s wellbeing in particular. A significant loss to many, she leaves an enduring legacy.

May 15th, 2024 at 1:37 pm

Robert Sowney

I am saddened to hear about the very sad death of Liz. I got to know Liz particularly when I was Chairing the RCN Foundation. She was a fantastic support to me and a strong advocate for everything the Foundation was trying to achieve at that time. She was a very kind individual with a great positive attitude. Liz was an ambassador for the nursing profession and I am sure will be sadly missed by many, in particular the RCN Fellows. My thoughts are very much with her family and close colleagues and friends at this time.

Robert

May 15th, 2024 at 2:41 pm

Crystal Oldman

I am so deeply saddened to hear this news.
Liz was a highly respected Fellow of the QNI and she had also served as a QNI trustee. For the last 10 years Liz had supported me as a mentor and a friend – and was everything you could wish for in a role model. Her contribution to the nursing profession, to children’s nursing and health visiting – and importantly to the people and families we serve was profound.
Liz looked after Anthony Nolan when she worked at Nottingham Hospital and supported his family to create the Anthony Nolan Trust. I thanked her personally a few years ago as my sister underwent a stem cell transplant which would never have been possible without this pioneering work.
There is so much more….a lifetime of giving so generously of her wisdom to her profession and her community.
Liz is leaving an enduring legacy. Her impact on the profession & on the people we serve – and her kindness and humour – will never be forgotten.
May she rest in peace.

May 15th, 2024 at 11:21 pm

Tricia Hart

I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a dear colleague and friend.
I had the honour and privilege to know Liz for many years , working together alongside others on a number of professional nursing projects.
I will greatly miss her wisdom, wit, infectious laugh and utter integrity.
RIP Liz. X

May 16th, 2024 at 9:07 am

Theresa Shaw

Very sad news, Liz was a great support to me in my early career at FoNS. Her kindest and leadership was really appreciated. Rest in peace Liz

May 16th, 2024 at 1:48 pm

Christine Hancock

Very sad news. I remember Liz being a source of wise counsel and advice especially when I was at the RCN and there were difficult issues that needed to be addressed. She was one of a number of outstanding children’s nurses who always brought an extra dimension and never forgot about children and brought those skills to the very important positions she later held. She always looked lovely and seemed to have changed little over the years. A sad loss to nursing and especially to Nottingham.

May 16th, 2024 at 5:16 pm

Kay Fawcett

I am so sad to hear this. Dame Liz was an absolute role model to us all, an exceptional nursing talent and a wonderful manager of people. It’s such a shock to hear this news.

May 17th, 2024 at 7:02 pm

Kath Evans

So very sorry to hear this news, Liz was an inspiration for so many of us championing the needs of children and young people. Thank you Liz for leading the way, rest in peace, thinking of your friends and family, Kath

May 30th, 2024 at 1:29 pm

Cynthia Atwell

I was saddened to hear the news of Liz. She was an amazing professional and did so much for our profession. I first met her when we were on the ENB in the 80’s, she was very supportive to me and all other members of the Board. Latterly we met again as Fellows of the RCN. She will be greatly missed.

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