Staff across the NHS in London have been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours for their outstanding contributions to healthcare. 

From hospital chief executives to diagnostic imaging specialists, oral surgeons to charity leaders, the honours reflect the breadth of talent working to improve the health of Londoners. Recipients have been recognised for services spanning mental health nursing, children’s healthcare, cardiovascular medicine and dentistry. 

The honours come at the close of a year in which the NHS dealt with record levels of demand and asurge in winter illnesses, all while delivering record treatments, as staff continue working to bring down waiting times further in 2026. 

Dame Caroline Clarke, Regional Director for the NHS in London, said: “All staff in London have gone above and beyond this year, from treating patients in our hospitals and communities, to leading the way in life-saving research and innovation. 

“It is great to see the breadth of the incredible work our staff do reflected in the honours awarded this year, and I want to congratulate everyone receiving this well-deserved recognition for their commitment to the NHS, and the work they do every day to protect and improve the health of all Londoners.” 

Former NHS England Chief Executive and now Chief Executive at Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospital, Amanda Pritchard, has been made a Dame Commander of the British Empire. 

She said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which reflects the extraordinary achievements of so many people across the NHS past and present. The health service cares for over 1.7m people every day, with dedicated staff going above and beyond, time and again, for patients and their families. 

“Their commitment was never clearer than during the Covid pandemic, including the NHS’s world-leading vaccine rollout.  It was an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what was undoubtedly the greatest challenge in the health service’s history.

“Staff have continued to show the same commitment and passion to recover services, innovate and transform care for the future. I am delighted to be back now on the front line of the NHS, continuing to play my part alongside extraordinary colleagues across the health service and beyond who are committed to providing high quality healthcare for all, now and for future generations.

“This honour belongs to them all.”

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust Chief Executive, Vanessa Ford has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her leadership and commitment to improving mental health services. 

Reflecting on receiving the MBE, Vanessa, she said: “This honour recognises the incredible work of people across SWLStG – our patients, their carers, our staff and our communities. I am fortunate to work alongside diverse, talented and compassionate people who work tirelessly to reduce the stigma of mental ill health and improve care for all of our communities. Receiving this award is an absolute honour, and one that belongs to us all.” 

Vanessa became Chief Executive of SWLStG in August 2019, having been Director of Nursing and Quality Standards in 2016. A Registered Mental Health Nurse with more than two decades of clinical and operational experience, she began her nursing training at SWLStG when she was 18 years old. Her career includes senior roles across a number of organisations, including Devon Partnership NHS Trust and West London Mental Health NHS Trust. She has held the role of national professional advisor on mental health nursing to the CQC.

In addition to leading SWLStG, Vanessa is the Lead Chief Executive for London Mental Health Strategy for NHS London Region, the Senior Responsible Officer for Mental Health in South West London, and the Chief Place Officer for the Borough of Merton. She plays a pivotal role in shaping mental health strategy across London, championing service transformation, and advocating for the needs of London’s diverse communities.

Director of Population Health at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Dr Dominique Allwood, has been awarded an MBE for services to the NHS as a consultant in public health medicine and senior clinical leader, covering more than 20 years. Dominique is both Director of Population Health at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and, since February 2025, has also been Chief Executive of Imperial College Health Partners Health Innovation Network.

On receiving the award, Dominique said: “It is a huge honour to be recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list. Improving health and tackling inequalities is very much a team effort and this recognition reflects many years of serving alongside colleagues across the NHS and wider partners. I am continually inspired by the patients and communities we serve, and deeply grateful to work with colleagues whose commitment and kindness make this work possible.”

Honours recipients across London 

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) 

• Amanda Pritchard, lately Chief Executive of NHS England and now Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, for services to the NHS 

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 

• Professor Tara Frances Renton, Emeritus Professor in Oral Surgery at King’s College London, for services to dentistry 

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 

• Judith Frances Dewinter Bem, Chair of The Royal Free Charity, for services to the NHS 

• Kulwant Singh Sehmi, lately Departmental Head of Imaging Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, for services to the NHS and diagnostic ophthalmic imaging 

• Lorenzo Garagnani, Consultant Orthopaedic Hand and Wrist Surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, for services to children with hand and upper limb differences 

• Professor Neil Reginald Poulter, Professor of Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine at Imperial College London, for services to hypertension prevention 

• Dr Dominique Fara Allwood, lately Chief Medical Officer at UCLPartners and Director of Population Health at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, for services to the NHS 

• Vanessa Claire Ford, Chief Executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, for services to mental health nursing