Nurses recognised in the 2024 new year honours list
Posted 29 December 2023 - 22:30
Nursing professionals working in dementia, cancer and learning disability and autism care, as well as community and mental health services, among those recognised
Nurses have been recognised in the 2024 new year honours list for their compassionate and pioneering work, amid a year of unprecedented strike action and service demands in healthcare.
Nurses working in dementia, cancer and learning disability and autism care, education, neurosurgery and cardiology are among those honoured, alongside those working in community, mental health and forensic services.
Chief nurse honoured for services to NHS leadership
East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) interim chief executive Lorraine Sunduza, a registered nurse, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public life and NHS leadership.
Ms Sunduza started her career working in adult mental health inpatient services, joining ELFT in 2002 as a charge nurse in the forensic mental health directorate. In 2018, she was appointed as the trust’s chief nurse.
She said of the honour: ‘I am humbled and delighted to be chosen to receive an OBE. The honour for me is being chosen for the things that I am passionate about. I know that I could not have done any of it without the tremendous support that I have from my family, friends and colleagues.’
‘Working together to provide the best care possible’
Joint regional chief nurse for NHS England in the North West James McLean is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to nursing.
He said: ‘I am immensely proud to have been recognised in this way and deeply humbled as I have worked with some truly amazing people throughout my career.’
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) nurse Lindy Voos is also awarded an MBE, for services to paediatric neurosurgical nursing. Ms Voos dedicated her entire career to the neurosurgical department at the London children’s hospital, working at GOSH for 42 years.
She said: ‘It’s a huge privilege to work with families at a time that is such a nightmare for them. You feel very fortunate to be in a position where you can perhaps make their journey a little easier.
‘But it’s not about being an individual, it’s about being part of a multidisciplinary team who work together to provide the best care possible for each child and family. It’s about supporting your colleagues, providing education and leadership, and sharing knowledge and skills within GOSH, nationally and internationally.’
Raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with dementia
In Wakefield, end of life care nurse Debby Veigas has been awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for her work in dementia care. Ms Veigas, who has worked at Wakefield Hospice for more than 18 years, became the hospice’s first ever end of life care Admiral Nurse in 2017.
On receiving notice of her award she said: ‘I couldn’t believe it. When I read the letter I was humbled, overwhelmed and amazed at the same time – I still can’t quite believe it now.
‘To receive a BEM is an incredible honour and there are so many people to acknowledge and thank for their support over the years. I hope this will not just help to raise the profile of Wakefield Hospice, Dementia UK and dementia services, but also raise awareness of the challenges faced by people living with dementia and their families every single day, and what we can do to support them.’
‘Realise the impact nurses’ work can have on their communities’
Admissions and discharge coordinator for neurosciences at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Monica Johnston also receives a BEM, for services to nursing and to the community.
Ms Johnston, who began working as a nurse in 1977 and said she never considered another career, said: ‘I am extremely appreciative to all those who work in our health service, and feel this honour, while in my name, would never have been achieved without the fantastic support of the doctors, nurses, auxiliary and support staff I have worked with throughout my career.
‘I am honoured to accept this BEM and would encourage those healthcare staff just beginning their careers to realise the impact their work can have on their community.’
Advocate for those at risk of abuse and exploitation
Queen’s Nurse and NHS South West London designated safeguarding adults professional for Wandsworth Marino Latour also receives a BEM.
Of the award, he said: ‘I am extremely humbled and honoured to receive this special accolade. I feel privileged and proud to be part of the national safeguarding adults family in England, advocating to ensure that people at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation are free from harm.
‘A big thank you to those who have supported me and continue to be the advocates to those without a voice.’
Dedication to improving care for people with a learning disability and autistic people
Registered mental health nurse and director of nursing professional and system development for NHS England South West Jill Crook is awarded a BEM for services to transforming care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Ms Crook has worked to develop health and care services so that more people can live in the community, closer to home. She previously worked as a community psychiatric nurse in acute, elderly and children sectors.
‘The award represents the sheer dedication and commitment to improving healthcare and outcomes for individuals with a learning disability and autistic people in the South West,’ she said. ‘Without the proactive, innovative work happening at a regional and local level, we would not be seeing the improvements we are today.’
Work on patient experience celebrated across NHS services
Welsh Ambulance Service assistant director of quality and nursing Wendy Herbert has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) for distinguished service.
Registered nurse Ms Herbert began her career with NHS Wales in 1988. She has held several senior clinical roles across Wales, including head of nursing for children and specialist public health at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Welsh Ambulance Service executive director of quality and nursing Liam Williams said: ‘The work Wendy leads on patient experience and community involvement is celebrated not only within the UK ambulance sector, but across NHS Wales and beyond.
‘She works closely with the chief executive to support conversations with families who have lost a loved one and where there is learning for the ambulance service or the wider NHS. Wendy’s compassion is matched only by her commitment to full candour for families, and we are overjoyed that she is being recognised in the new year honours.’
RCN patron Emilia Clarke recognised for establishing brain injury charity
Elsewhere, Game of Thrones star and RCN patron Emilia Clarke has been made a MBE, alongside her mother Jenny Clarke, as co-founders of SameYou, a brain injury recovery charity they established after the actor survived two brain haemorrhages.
Ms Clarke, who shot to fame playing the Mother of Dragons in the hit HBO series, told the PA news agency the honour was ‘remarkable’ and that it was ‘life-enhancing and magical’ to see her mother, who was a speaker at the inaugural Nursing Live event in November, also recognised for their work.
‘Inspiring work represents the best of nursing’
Former RCN president Denise Chaffer has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to patient safety. Ms Chaffer, a registered nurse and midwife, is director of safety and learning at NHS Resolution.
RCN president Sheilabye Sobrany said the list strongly represents the professionalism, dedication, innovation and expertise of nurses.
‘On behalf of the RCN, I would like to share our warmest congratulations to all of those who have been recognised in the new year honours. Your work is truly inspiring and represents the very best of nursing.
‘Congratulations to our former president Denise Chaffer for being recognised for her work on patient safety. Denise has driven innovation in this area throughout her career and it is her dedication to protecting patient care that continues to drive all those in nursing to deliver the best for their patients.
‘I am so proud of the commitment shown by nursing staff all year round to deliver the best care they can for their patients.’
The nurses named in the 2024 new year honours list
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Dr Denise Marie Chaffer, director, safety and learning, NHS Resolution and former president of the RCN, for services to patient safety.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Professor Carol Ann Doyle, head of school for nursing and midwifery education, Birmingham City University, for services to nurse education.
Nicola Heather Anne Patterson, director of nursing, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, for services to health and social care in Northern Ireland.
Dr Lisa Margaret Ritchie, head of infection prevention and control, NHS England, for services to healthcare, particularly during COVID-19.
Lorraine Pfavayi Sunduza, chief nurse and interim chief executive, East London NHS Foundation Trust, for services to mental and community health.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Gina Beard, lead cancer nurse, Hywel Dda University Health Board, for services to cancer nursing.
Debbie Hazel Brown, advanced nurse practitioner and clinical director, Lewisham Community Education Provider Network Training Hub, for services to nursing and the NHS.
Jessica Miriam Bryson Davidson, senior clinical forensic charge nurse, for services to forensic nursing and to victim support in Scotland.
Linda Jacqueline Edmunds, consultant nurse, heart failure and cardiac rehabilitation, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, for services to cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure.
Charity Gladstone, matron of cardiology and respiratory services, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, for services to nursing.
Dr Claire Mairead Goodman, professor of health care research, Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, for services to older people.
Helen Ann Maitland, national director for urgent and unscheduled care, Scottish Government, for services to NHS Scotland.
Sharon Manning, cancer nurse specialist, Macmillan, for services to cancer patient care.
James Ian McLean, deputy chief nurse, programme delivery, Health Education England, for services to nursing.
Huda Yassin Mohamed, female genital mutilation specialist lead midwife and registered nurse, Whittington Health NHS Trust, for services to midwifery.
Karen Eleanor Spiers, senior charge nurse, NHS Lanarkshire, for services to dementia care in hospital.
Belinda Alison Voos, nurse consultant in paediatric neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, for services to paediatric neurosurgical nursing.
Mary Elizabeth Woods, nurse consultant, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. For services to lymphoedema patient care.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Jill Elaine Crook, director, nursing, professional and system development, NHS England South West, for services to transforming care, learning disability and autism.
Llinos Edwards, nurse team leader, The Looked After Children Team, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, for services to vulnerable children in North Wales.
Monica Ann Johnston, admission/discharge co-ordinator, neurosciences, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, for services to nursing and to the community in Northern Ireland.
Marino Teddy Michel Latour, designated safeguarding professional, NHS South West London Integrated Care Board, for services to safeguarding adults.
Debra Ruth Veigas, end of life care Admiral Nurse, Wakefield Hospice and Dementia UK, for services to people with dementia and to end of life care in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM)
Gail Wendy Herbert, assistant director, quality nursing and patient experience, Welsh Ambulance Service.
Ordinary Associate of the Royal Red Cross, Second Class
Staff Sergeant Natalie Dawn Davies, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps
Major Adam Gordon Hughes, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps
Major Jennifer Elizabeth Jackson, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Army Reserve