More than 20 nurses have been officially recognised for their contributions to health and social care in the inaugural King’s Birthday Honours.
Nurses from different settings across the UK have received the highest public recognition for their outstanding contributions to public life and for their notable careers.
This year marks the first time King Charles has issued his annual Birthday Honours list since he was crowned.
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) president, Sheilabye Sobrany said the honours received by nurses ‘represent the skill and dedication of all those in the profession who continue to step up for their patients every day of the week’.
Ms Sobrany added that all the nursing staff named in the awards should be ‘enormously proud of their achievements’.
Meanwhile, deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden said that this year’s list was ‘testament to ordinary people who have demonstrated extraordinary community spirit’.
Notable Honours
RCN fellow Dr Neslyn Watson-Druée was awarded one of the highest awards and was given an Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to women and ethnic minorities.
Dr Watson-Druée, voluntary chair of the Birmingham and Midlands Women Economic Forum, has had a long career in the NHS and was involved in the creation of the NHS breakthrough programme and Mary Seacole scholarships.
She was previously awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1998 for her work in the education and advancement of women, and currently runs her own business providing career coaching.
Also receiving one of the highest awards was Zoe Jane Fry, registered nurse and director of the Outstanding Society community interest company, who received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to social care and nursing.
David Harling, deputy director of learning disability for NHS England also received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the NHS, people with learning disabilities, and to autistic people and their families.
And from the community, Kendra Armelia Schneller, homeless and inclusion health programme lead for the Queen’s Nursing Institute, received an MBE for services to homelessness and inclusion health nursing.
Ms Schneller is also a nurse practitioner with the health inclusion team at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where she has worked for 11 years providing case management in homeless hostels in Lambeth.
Also listed in the King’s Birthday Honours this year were:
Hayley Karen Citrine, former chief nurse of the North West for NHS England, receiving a MBE for services to nursing.
Brenda Rivera Agon Deocampo, ward manager (acute medicine) at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, receiving an MBE for services to nursing.
Barbara Ann Johnson, director of nursing at Risedale Estates Ltd, receiving an MBE for services to social care.
Dr Gary George Ernest Mitchell, senior lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast school of Nursing and Midwifery, receiving and MBE for services to nursing and dementia care.
Professor Christine Susan Norton, professor of clinical research at the King’s College London Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery, and Palliative Care, receiving and MBE for services to nursing research.
Elizabeth Anne Rix, chief nurse for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, receiving and MBE for services to nursing leadership.
Catherine Annette Shaw, lead advanced nurse practitioner for NHS Highland, receiving an MBE for services to nursing in rural Scotland.
Catherine Bailey, former nurse director for musculoskeletal services at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, receiving a BEM for services to nursing.
Christine Ann Culleton, former community nurse for Aneurin Bevan Health Board, receiving a BEM for services to the NHS in South East Wales.
Jane De Groot, school nurse at Woldingham School, Caterham, receiving a BEM for services to nursing.
Barbara Ann Ewart, former public health nurse, receiving a BEM for services to the community in Northern Ireland.
Sherree Fagge, head of nursing (palliative and end of life care) for NHS England, receiving a BEM for services to healthcare.
Louie Carullo Horne, deputy associate director of nursing at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard Clinical Research Fellow, receiving a BEM for services to nursing.
Lynette Kennedy, nurse consultant (learning disability) for Camden Learning Disability Services, receiving a BEM for services to people with learning disabilities.
Ann Elizabeth Norman, former Royal College of Nursing professional lead for criminal justice and learning disabilities, receiving a BEM for services to health care access.
Paul Martin Reeves, head of nursing for education and new roles at NHS England, receiving a BEM for services to nursing.
Ernest Reginald Telford, receiving a BEM for services to the Somme Nursing Home, Belfast, during Covid-19.
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