Sue West

Sue has devoted all her working life to caring for children and families. After completing a BTEC in Caring Services in Surrey she began a Teaching Degree in Worcester.  She met her husband there and moved to Oxford in 1996 where she completed her B.Sc Degree.  Between studying and working, Sue was Respite Foster Carer for over 20 years, caring for local children with complex and life-limiting diseases in her own home.

In 2000, Sue joined the care team (and bereavement team) at Helen and Douglas House Hospice, Oxford and it was after a few years that she commenced her nursing course at Oxford Brookes University.  She gained her Paediatric Nursing qualification in 2005 and after working at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford  became part of the Community Nursing Team and remained there for 10 years, practising in different settings including patient's homes and schools.  In  2011 Sue was appointed Clinical Nurse Specialist  for a local special school.

After juggling family commitments she then returned to Helen and Douglas House Hospice, nursing patients with rare and complex diseases requiring symptom control, palliative care and end of life support.

She now looks forward to dedicating her time and energy within the specialism of mitochondrial disease.