Nursing director damehood among King’s birthday honours
More than a dozen nurses and midwives have been recognised in the King’s birthday honours list for 2024.
The list contains hundreds of people given awards for services to sectors ranging from defence and law enforcement to charity, education and health.
Among those receiving some of the highest civilian honours in the country was Professor Janice Sigsworth, who was made a Dame.
Professor Sigsworth, chief nurse of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, was given the Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire award for her services to nursing.
The already-decorated East Sussex-based nurse joined her current role in 2008, having previously worked as deputy chief nurse for England.
Professor Sigsworth said: “Throughout my career I have been fortunate to work with many wonderful people and I am both humbled and delighted to receive this honour.
“I would like to thank all of my colleagues, I am extremely grateful for their support and for all the opportunities I have had to lead nursing and midwifery across the NHS to improve care for patients and their families.”
Professor Tim Orchard, Imperial College Healthcare chief executive, added: “Many congratulations to Dame Janice on this much deserved recognition.
“It is a reflection of over 40 years of outstanding dedication to nursing and midwifery throughout a distinguished NHS career.
“The whole organisation is incredibly proud of what she has achieved.”
Laura Serrant
Receiving a highly prestigious Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) award was nurse academic Professor Laura Serrant, also for services to nursing.
Professor Serrant, until recently, worked as regional head of nursing and midwifery at the workforce training and education directorate at NHS England.
She is currently chair of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a post she joined in January of this year.
Two nurses currently in education leadership positions were named as receiving an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award.
Professor Donna Fitzsimons, head of Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, was recognised for her services to healthcare and education.
Meanwhile, Professor Brian Webster-Henderson, deputy vice chancellor and professor of nursing at the University of Cumbria, was awarded for his services to the NHS and education.
Brian Webster-Henderson
Several nurses and midwives were also given Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) awards.
These included Margaret Anne Davison, who was recognised for services to midwifery in her role as a midwife at NHS Borders.
As well as this, some were given Medallist of the Order of the British Empire awards for services to nursing, midwifery and other areas of health.
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Janice Debra Sigsworth, chief nurse of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. For services to nursing. Eastbourne, East Sussex.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Laura Maria Serrant, lately regional head of nursing and midwifery, workforce training and education directorate at NHS England North East and Yorkshire. For services to nursing. Retford, Nottinghamshire.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Donna Fitzsimons, head of Queen’s University Belfast School of Nursing and Midwifery. For services to healthcare and to education. Downpatrick, County Down.
Professor Brian James Webster-Henderson, deputy vice-chancellor and Professor of Nursing at the University of Cumbria, lately chair of the Council of Deans of Health. For services to the NHS and to education. Penrith, Cumbria.
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Karen Amanda Bonner, chief nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. For service to nursing. London.
Rachel Anne Carter, director of midwifery and deputy chief nurse at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. For services to maternity and women’s health. Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
Margaret Anne Davison, lately midwife at NHS Borders. For services to midwifery. Gordon, Berwickshire.
Mark Richard Foulkes, oncology nurse at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. For services to nursing. Reading, Berkshire.
Anne Margaret Gregg, Macmillan nurse at NHS Orkney. For services to healthcare in the Orkney Islands. Kirkwall, Orkney.
Debra Ann Holloway, lately gynaecology nurse consultant at Guy’s at St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. For services to women’s health. London.
Gary William O’Hare, lately chief nurse at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. For services to mental health and disabilities in the NHS. Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear.
Elizabeth Mary Whyte, Covid-19 lead at HC-One. For services to social care. Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
Sharon Nurse. For services to midwifery and neonatal education in Northern Ireland. Lisburn, County Antrim.
Craig Allen Jones Doy Russo, clinical operation manager at Police Custody Healthcare NHS and Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust. For services to mental health nursing. York, North Yorkshire.
Angela Thomson, senior charge nurse at Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. For services to the NHS in Scotland. Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
Heather Yvonne Wenban, lead nurse for dementia at Powys Teaching Health Board. For services to people with dementia in Powys and Wales. Newtown, Powys.
Carys Eluned Davies, senior midwife at Hywel Dda University Health Board. For services to Midwifery. Aberystwyth, Dyfed.
