Liz Keat died earlier this year, aged 51
Rahmah Ghazali Content Editor
04:00, 27 Oct 2026
The late Liz Keat and her husband, Rob Keat(Image: Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust)
A Leeds nurse who championed care for homeless people has been honoured with a national award after her death.
Liz Keat worked for Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust for more than 30 years. She has been posthumously awarded a Chief Nursing Officer Gold Award, one of the nursing profession’s highest forms of recognition.
She died earlier this year, aged 51, after being diagnosed with glioblastoma – a malignant brain tumour which is a type of cancer that starts in the brain or spreads into the brain from another area of the body.
Her husband Rob Keat, also a Leeds nurse with 35 years’ service, and her sister Clare accepted the award on her behalf. It recognised her outstanding contribution to nursing, health inclusion and patient advocacy.
The award was presented to the family by Michelle Bateman, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England at NHS England.
Rob Keat receiving the award on his wife’s behalf(Image: Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust)
Throughout her career, Liz campaigned for people facing disadvantage and barriers to accessing healthcare. She worked to make sure those whose voices often went unheard received care, dignity and respect.
Colleagues remember her as a nurse who looked past a person’s circumstances or diagnosis and focused on the individual. Her work tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness made a lasting impact across Leeds and beyond.
She was also a Queen’s Nurse, a prestigious title given to experienced community and primary care nurses who show exceptional clinical leadership.
Ms Bateman said: “Liz was an exceptional nurse who dedicated her career to improving the lives of people who often face significant barriers to healthcare. She was a powerful advocate for inclusion, equality and compassionate care, and her influence continues to be felt across the NHS and the communities we serve.
“While we are deeply saddened that Liz was not able to receive this award herself, we are pleased that her outstanding contribution has been recognised nationally. This honour reflects the profound impact she had on patients, colleagues and services throughout her career.”
On receiving the award, Rob said: “Liz wanted to find ways to communicate, challenge and breakdown barriers and she did that effectively by being on a level with people and challenging culture. I always joked that for someone with little arms she had a big reach, and I’m delighted that national projects now in the pipeline will carry her name and her legacy on.”
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