South West health and care professionals recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Health and care professionals from the South West have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.
Awards have been given for contributions to genomic medicine, ophthalmology, and public health and suicide prevention.
Professor Andrew Mumford, Professor of Haematology at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), has received an MBE for services to genomic medicine. He is also an Emeritus Professor of Genomic Medicine.
He has led major national programmes including the NHS 100,000 Genomes Project and the Newborn Genomes Programme across the South West, helping to advance care for patients with rare diseases and cancer. He is also principal investigator for the national Generation Study, which launched in Bristol and has already seen more than 3,000 local babies and families take part.
He said: “I am delighted and truly moved by this honour. I am extremely grateful to colleagues and collaborators and above all families affected by genetic disorders, whose support has been instrumental in these achievements.”
Professor Andrew Mumford
Professor John Sparrow, former Consultant Ophthalmologist at Bristol Eye Hospital, has received an MBE for services to ophthalmology. He is also an Honorary Professor of Ophthalmic Health Services Research and Applied Epidemiology at the University of Bristol.
Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Professor Sparrow treated patients across the region, led national audits into cataract surgery, helped shape NICE and Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ glaucoma guidelines, and published extensively in the field.
He said: “Being awarded an MBE is a truly incredible honour. I am at the same time humbled and immensely proud that my work has been recognised in this way in the King’s Birthday Honours. Without the huge and much appreciated support of my work from innumerable colleagues, family, and friends, this could never have been achieved. I am most grateful to you all.”
Professor David Gunnell, former Honorary Consultant at North Bristol Trust (NBT), has received a CBE for services to public health and suicide prevention.
His research has focused on understanding the factors influencing mental health across the life course and preventing suicide, shaping policy and practice at national and international level.
He has been a member of England’s and the WHO’s suicide prevention strategy groups, a trustee for Samaritans, and led the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration.
He said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award. Research is a team effort and over the last 30 years I’ve been privileged to work with a wonderful group of research colleagues, support staff, mental and public health professionals, volunteers, and people bereaved by suicide. This award in no small part reflects the honour it has been to work with them, and I hope it helps raise awareness of the daily tragedy of suicide around the UK and worldwide and the importance of concerted societal efforts to prevent these deaths.”
Professor David Gunnell
Professor Gill Morgan, NHS England South West Regional Chair, said:
“These honours highlight the powerful combination of clinical excellence, research and purpose that defines the South West. Each of these individuals has dedicated their career to improving lives – whether that is helping families understand genetic conditions, raising standards of eye care, or working to prevent the tragedy of suicide.
“Their work reflects the very best of what the NHS stands for, and I am delighted to see their contribution recognised in this way.”
Sue Doheny, Interim Regional Director, NHS England South West, said:
“These honours recognise three exceptional individuals who have made a lasting difference to patients and communities here in the South West and far beyond.
“Professor Mumford’s work in genomic medicine is helping to shape the future of care, with Bristol at the heart of that progress. Professor Sparrow’s decades of dedication to eye care have improved outcomes for countless patients. And Professor Gunnell’s commitment to suicide prevention has helped save lives and strengthen understanding both nationally and globally.
“I want to offer my warmest congratulations to Andrew, John and David – these honours are richly deserved and reflect the very best of our region’s health and care community.”