Nurses recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

A former chief nursing officer (CNO) for England, a leading nursing researcher and a hospice chief executive are among the list of nurses who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for 2025.

The chair of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Foundation and former CNO, Professor Jane Cummings has been awarded a damehood for her voluntary services to national charities which support nursing, social care, midwifery and health.

Dame Cummings has been chair of the RCN Foundation since 2019 having previously worked as CNO for England from 2012 to 2018.

She described feeling ‘absolutely delighted and humbled’ to be given the award and said she was grateful to everyone involved in her nomination.

‘It is a real privilege for me to be able to contribute to supporting and strengthening the professions and to improving health and care outcomes across the UK,’ she added.

‘This honour is also a recognition of the impact of the RCN Foundation, through its ongoing work to support nursing, midwifery, health and social care.’

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Professor Ruth Endacott, director of nursing and midwifery at the National Institute of Health and Care Research, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in this year’s honours, in recognition for her contribution to nursing research.

She said she owes the nomination to her colleagues who have supported her in her role.

‘Championing research to help develop better treatments for patients, mothers and babies is my passion,’ she added.

‘NIHR’s work in funding and delivering world-leading research is crucial in developing lifesaving and life improving treatments for health and care users.

‘Congratulations to the other nursing and midwifery colleagues who have received awards.’

Championing hospice nursing

Another nurse included in the list was Dr Heather Richardson, director of academic learning and action and chief executive officer of St Christopher’s Hospice.

Dr Richardson, who has worked in hospice nursing since 1989, was awarded an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to nursing and palliative care.

Reflecting on her years in nursing, Dr Richardson said she had been ‘very fortunate’ and enjoyed ‘an amazing career’.

‘I’ve had an opportunity to work with lots of nurses, some of whom are well developed, some who are very early in their career, and I have loved seeing the potential in them, being infected by their commitment and their interest to advance themselves, and having had the opportunity to help them become the amazing professionals that they are,’ she told Nursing in Practice. 

Dr Richardson, who was previously national clinical lead at Hospice UK, said the nomination had provided a ‘spring in my step’ at a challenging time for the sector.

‘It’s utterly reinforced my passion for palliative nursing and the difference that we can make,’ she added.

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‘I think that for a while now I’ve been trying to work out what the remainder of my career should be focused on, and I think the award has reminded me, but also really shone a light on the opportunities I’ve got to build the leaders for the future.’

Setting the path for future nurses

Tara Rees, advanced nurse practitioner at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, is another nurse who has been included in the honours list.

Ms Rees has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her contributions to her local community.

She said nurses often face ‘bad publicity’ which can remove attention from the ‘wonderful work’ the profession is doing.

‘I think as a profession, we’re not allowed enough to celebrate the work that we all do.

‘I hope that having nurses being recognised for the work they do will set the path for so many other people, because so many nurses are doing great work,’ she told Nursing in Practice. 

Several other nurses working across hospital, education and research roles were also recognised.

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Responding to the King’s Birthday Honours, RCN president Bejoy Sebastian said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to see nurses recognised in the King’s birthday honours.

‘These honours are not only testament to the skill, expertise and dedication of those recognised but also act as an inspiration to the nurses of today. I hope too it will encourage more people into a rewarding career in nursing,’ he added.