Dozens of NHS staff have been recognised in the New Year Honours list. Nurses, doctors and surgeons have been awarded honours, as the head of the NHS praised their dedication over another challenging year.
John Stewart, NHS national director of specialised commissioning, from Brighton and Hove, has been awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the NHS. Stewart leads the commissioning of a £25 billion portfolio of specialised NHS services. During his tenure, he has reformed the Cancer Drugs Fund which since 2016 has benefitted more than 100,000 patients with early access to the latest new cancer treatments.
He said: “Improving the quality of patient care is a team sport. Whilst receiving this award is truly a personal honour, it reflects the achievements of so many brilliant teams and individuals I have had the privilege of working with over the years to improve services for patients.
“There is still much work to do, but it is nice to take a moment to reflect on successes and say thank you to colleagues past and present for their support, commitment and ambition for driving improvements in patient care.”
Zoe Packman, deputy director of the Nursing Service Delivery, Transformation and Resilience at NHS England, has been awarded an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to nursing, and Dr Penelope Shirlaw, chair of the London Local Dental Network and honorary consultant, at the Office of the Chief Dental Officer at NHS England, was awarded an MBE, for services to dentistry.
Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital and National Director for Digital Channels has been awarded a CBE for services to healthcare. Harrison has overseen the development of the NHS App.
He said: “I am deeply grateful to all those I work with and have worked with since joining the NHS in 1988. Every individual achievement in the NHS is built on the hard work, support and encouragement of many, many people. It is a great privilege to accept an honour like this, and I am profoundly humbled by it.
“I am grateful to so many people in the NHS for the opportunities afforded me in my work; as a patient; and for the treatment the NHS has provided for my family. This institution is rightly treasured – it is an enduring honour to be part of it.”
Kathryn Thomson, former chief executive of Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an MBE for services to health. She started her career in the health service in 1984, spending 15 years as Chief Executive at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, before retiring in 2023 after almost 40 years NHS service.
She said: “It was a privilege to work in the NHS for nearly four decades. I spent the last 15 years of my career as Chief Executive of Liverpool Women’s and it is a place that will always be close to my heart.
“To be recognised with this MBE is an incredible personal honour, but I would also like to dedicate it to my family and the colleagues I worked with over the years, many of whom are still doing amazing work in the NHS to this day for the benefit of patients.
“I am incredibly proud to represent the NHS and all the organisations I have worked for, in this year’s honours.”
A full list of those recognised is available here.
NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: “As we conclude a year in which the NHS has delivered record levels of treatment amid record demand, and still rolled out world-leading innovations such as personalised cancer vaccines to patients, it is fantastic to see so many of our colleagues honoured for the contributions they’ve made.
“Whether it is bringing the latest ground-breaking medicines and treatments to the NHS, narrowing health inequalities, or helping prevent heart attacks and strokes, the difference made by those honoured has truly transformed patients’ lives.
“I know people across the country will join me in thanking them, and all our NHS staff, who are working tirelessly all year round to do the best they can for patients.”
