Dozens of NHS Heroes Snag 2024 New Year Honours
From nurses and doctors to surgeons, dozens of NHS staff have been honoured in the 2024 New Year Honours list released today (Friday 29 December).
NHS chief Amanda Pritchard praised the recipients for their dedication amid another challenging year for the health service.
75 Years of NHS: Milestones and Mayhem
This year marked the NHS’s 75th anniversary, with staff tackling record demand. They launched life-changing diabetes tech and expanded access for thousands of women to breast cancer prevention drugs. The NHS also unveiled its first-ever Long-Term Workforce Plan despite more than 40 strike days in 2023.
Spotlight on Top Honourees
Professor Simon Kenny, national clinical director for Children and Young People, earned an OBE for services to paediatric surgery. Based at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, he’s a pioneer of minimally invasive surgery since 2003.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive: “It’s wonderful to see so many colleagues honoured after a year of huge progress and unprecedented challenges. Each has made an immense difference for patients—from nursing and mental health to paediatric surgery and health inequalities.”
James McLean, Joint Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England North West, also snagged an OBE for services to nursing.
James McLean: “I’m immensely proud and humbled. I’ve worked with some truly amazing people throughout my career.”
Professor Margaret Rae, NHS England South West’s Deputy Director of Regional Health Programmes, bagged a CBE for public health. Former president of the Faculty of Public Health, she said:
Professor Margaret Rae: “I’m deeply honoured. This award recognises all those working in Public Health—a small but vital specialty protecting public health.”
Jill Crook, Director of Nursing from Gloucestershire, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to learning disabilities, autism, and transforming care.
Jill Crook: “This award reflects dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities and autism in the South West.”
More NHS Stars Get Their Due
- Professor Ulrike Schmidt – OBE for eating disorders services
- Lorraine Sunduza – OBE for mental and community health
- Debbie Brown – MBE for nursing and the NHS
- David Cochrane – MBE for health and social care
- Dr Fenella Leach – MBE for NHS leadership (London Ambulance Service" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">London Ambulance Service)
- Martin Machray – MBE for healthcare performance
- Huda Mohamed – MBE for midwifery tackling female genital mutilation
- Dr Meenakshi Nagpaul – MBE for NHS services
- Belinda Voos (late) – MBE for paediatric neurosurgical nursing
- Shekhar Biyani – BEM for medical education
- Dr Jahangir Alom – BEM for fighting health inequalities during COVID-19
- Dr Fiona Butler – BEM for community healthcare in West London
- Gladstone (late) – MBE for nursing
- Professor Bryan Williams – OBE for medicine
- Trudy Berlet – MBE for midwifery
- Carl Smith – BEM for NHS and Fire & Rescue service
- Professor Mark Wilcox – OBE for healthcare during COVID-19
- Fiona Lindop – OBE for physiotherapy in Parkinson’s disease
- Mary Woods – MBE for lymphoedema care
- Moses Ayoola – BEM for NHS leadership
These awards acknowledge the tireless efforts of NHS workers who keep Britain’s health ticking through thick and thin.
