LEAD NHS vaccine nurses and frontline healthcare workers have tipped the list of New Year’s honours.
Dozens of NHS staff members have been recognised this year, ahead of the health service’s 75th birthday.
PANHS heroes have been given awards as part of this year’s New Year’s honours list[/caption]
Leading nurse, Jennifer Hall, has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to the NHS.
Ms Hall is the director of nursing and clinical delivery for NHS England’s Covid vaccine programme and has been commended for her work during the pandemic.
Also receiving an OBE for public services is Catherine Heywood.
Ms Heywood is NHS England’s lead for domestic abuse and sexual violence and a former deputy director at the Ministry of Justice.
Receiving an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) is Dr Joel Meyer, an intensive care consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Meyer has received the honour in recognition of his services during Covid-19.
He was co-founder of the Life Lines project, which helped families connect with loved ones in intensive care during the Covid-19 pandemic.
His fellow co-founder, Professor Rebecca Rose, also receives an MBE.
NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard congratulated those receiving awards for their ‘fantastic efforts’.
She said: “Thanks to the hard work of everyone in our skilled, compassionate and dedicated NHS team, we have continued to deliver the best possible care for patients and recover services affected during the pandemic over the last year.
“As the NHS heads into its 75th year, I am delighted to see the fantastic work of so many of my excellent health service colleagues reflected again in this year’s honours, including many for their work during the pandemic and the Covid-19 vaccination programme.”
A number of top nurses also also received honours.
MBEs have been given to Elspeth Jane Clegg, NHS England’s chief nurse for London, Zebina Ratansi, director of nursing at Whipps Cross University Hospital, and Samantha Salaver, head of dental nursing at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Local trust staff members have also received recognition for their efforts.
Dr Wirinder Bhatiani, former chair of NHS Bolton CCG, who receives a BEM for services to health and diversity in Greater Manchester, said: “It is an honour and a privilege to receive this recognition; this reflects the work of the CCG working in partnership with our GPs, the hospital, the council and the voluntary sector.
“My thoughts are currently with the health and care staff who are working in an extremely difficult situation and our communities who are also experiencing significant difficulties.”
Other NHS staff recognised in the New Year’s Honours list
Doris Garton, receives a BEM for her services volunteering at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Lesley Watts, who is chief executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundations Trust and currently senior responsible officer for discharge at NHSE, has been awarded a CBE for services to the NHS.
Karen Howell, chief executive of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, receives an OBE for services to health care.
Andrea Williams-McKenzie who works at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a CBE for public service, from her time at the London HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Dr Andrew Welch, medical director at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, receives an OBE for services to healthcare and patients in North East England.
The improvement director for intensive support at NHS England, Dr April Brown, receives an MBE for services to the NHS and to nursing.
Dr Minal Bakhai, a GP and director of primary care transformation at NHS England, has received an MBE for services to general practice, particularly during Covid-19.
Professor Beverley Harden, NHS England’s deputy chief allied health professions officer, has received an MBE for services to healthcare.
Professor Lyn Chitty, professor of genetics and fetal medicine at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust has received a damehood for services to medicine.
NHS England’s regional director of commissioning, Caroline Reid, receives an MBE for services to the Covid-19 vaccination programme in South East.
Michael Conway, a service manager at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has received an MBE for services to anatomical pathology technology.
Professor Isobel Heyman, a consultant psychiatrist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and honorary consultant psychiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, receives an MBE for services to child and adolescent mental health services.
Betsey Lau-Robinson, head of adult safeguarding and the Mental Health Capacity Act at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, receives an MBE for services to patient safeguarding.
Dr Jyotiben Shah, Macmillan consultant urological surgeon at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, receives an MBE for services to medicine.
Professor Charlotte Anne Skitterall, group chief pharmacist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, receives an MBE for services to pharmacy
Patricia Cargill, chair of Notthingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s patient partnership group, receives a BEM for services to NHS patients.
Why are people awarded honours?
The honours system recognises people from all walks of life who have made achievements in public life and/or committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.
Any British national or citizen of the 15 Commonwealth realms can be nominated for honours in the British honours system.
This could be anyone, regardless of if they are in the public eye, can be recognised for their service and contribution to their respective fields in the UK and abroad.
What are the New Year’s Honours judged on?
New year’s honours are judged on a number of achievements such as:
Making a difference to their community or field of workEnhancing Britain’s reputationLong-term voluntary serviceInnovation and entrepreneurshipChanging things, with an emphasis on achievementImproving life for people less able to help themselvesDisplaying moral courage
The honours system recognises individual achievements such as the ones above, in fields including:
community, voluntary and local servicesarts and mediasportscience and technologyhealtheducationbusiness and the economycivil or political service
To receive an honour, the recipient must still be actively involved in what you’re nominating them for.
The only honours which can be awarded after someone’s death are gallantry awards.