Edinburgh nurse recognised for 'outstanding contributions' in King's Birthday Honours
A NHS Lothian nurse has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to epilepsy care in the King's Birthday Honours.
Yvonne Leavy, 55, was overwhelmed when she realised that she would be included in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours list for the tireless work she has done over the course of her 37-year career.
She said: "It was all so exciting and a bit overwhelming. I didn't even tell my family at first as I was unsure it would actually happen.'
The mother-of-three started her career at the age of 18, qualifying to become a nurse in Dundee. She then moved down south to work in London and Oxford, gaining valuable experience and earning her MSc in Epileptology, before returning to Scotland to work as a Epilepsy Specialist Nurse at the former DCN at the Western General Hospital in 2003.
Now she's an an integral part of the small and highly specialised team at NHS Lothian and credits her training at renowned epilepsy centres for jump starting her interest and passion in epilepsy.
And she's even went on to collaborate with Edinburgh Napier University to develop an online training course for professionals working in epilepsy and contributed to the nursing chapter of The International League of Epilepsy, which supports nurses providing epilepsy care globally.
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She continued: "This award acknowledges the importance of nursing and epilepsy specialist nursing in particular. People with epilepsy face significant challenges and yet they also show incredible dignity and resilience. It is an honour to be involved in helping them to live their lives to the fullest.
"I hope the future brings improved funding for this common condition and I am ready to drive this forward alongside my incredible colleagues here in Edinburgh.'
Yvonne is one of just 110 recipients in Scotland to be recognised with this prestigious accolade. She joins a list of 1,214 remarkable individuals to be celebrated with this award.
Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, added: 'I am absolutely delighted to see Yvonne Leavy recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.
'This is a well-deserved acknowledgement of her outstanding contributions to epilepsy care.
'Yvonne's dedication, expertise and compassion have made a real and lasting difference to the lives of so many patients and families. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of the NHS Lothian team.
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