Dawn Collins, a distinguished leader in infection prevention and healthcare, will be joining The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Trust (QEH). Her journey, spanning over four decades, began in nursing, and progressively graduated to senior operational and executive positions. Dawn hails from the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust where she served as the Director of Nursing and Director of Infection Prevention and Control.
Previously, she was an Interim Chief Nurse showcasing her adaptability to fill various roles as needed. Her leadership and subject matter expertise don’t just stop at the local level. She has held influential posts in Yorkshire and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, contributing towards healthcare excellence on a larger scale. In 1986, her professional journey took root at The QEH, where she pursued her initial nursing training. Now, ready for this full-circle moment, she is set to bolster her career where it all began, only this time in a significantly higher position.
Michelle Arrowsmith, the Executive Managing Director at QEH, expresses high hopes for Dawn’s induction into the team, applauding her for the extensive experience and knowledge she brings. Michelle credits Dawn’s background in clinical leadership, patient safety, and infection prevention and control as invaluable assets, vital for the Trust’s commitment to quality improvement and nursing team support. Dawn, who is honored and excited by her return to The QEH, intends to ensure high standards of care in the organization and foster an environment where every member of the nursing team feels celebrated and confident in their capabilities.
This monumental transition in the Trust’s leadership follows the departure of its Chief Nurse, Pippa Street, who joined them in August 2023. It further illustrates the ever-changing dynamic of healthcare and emphasizes the importance of competent and dedicated professionals willing to steer the ship through the uncertainties and demands of infection prevention.
Source: https://qehklmediahub.com/2026/02/27/experienced-healthcare-leader-appointed-interim-chief-nurse/