A number of Allied Health Professionals, including chief AHP officer Suzanne Rastrick, have been recognised for their contributions to healthcare in the New Year Honours list.
The New Year Honours list recognises people who have made achievements in public life and/or committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.
This year, Professor Suzanne Rastrick, chief Allied Health Professions (AHP) officer at NHS England, has been awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to the Allied Health Professions and her work in the social housing sector.
Passion, commitment and loyalty
Meghana Pandit, national medical director, NHS England, said: “This honour is a testament to Suzanne’s dedication to her profession, and I am immensely proud of her achievement. I extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude for her unwavering support to Allied Health Professionals and the NHS. Suzanne’s passion, commitment, and loyalty to the health service are evident in all that she does. This recognition is richly deserved.”
Professor Rastrick will be receiving her second honour, after she received an Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2019, also for her services to Allied Health Professions.
For over three decades, Suzanne has held non-executive portfolios outside the NHS, including audit committee chair roles and positions in the housing and charitable sector.
She said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this award, but it is not mine alone. It represents the hard work and achievements of the colleagues I represent and I am immensely proud of the work we have all done. I came into the NHS with a keen sense of social justice; I never expected to be rewarded for it; I really am overwhelmed.”
Service to their professions
Alongside Professor Rastrick, a further eight AHPs have also been recognised for their services to their professions.
They include:
Member of the British Empire (MBE)
Professor Emeritus Anna Mary Horwood, emeritus professor of orthoptics and visual development, University of Reading and senior orthoptist, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. For services to orthoptics and to research in visual development.
Deborah Monk, founder and chair, Forgotten Feet. For services to Podiatry for Homeless People.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Ryan Frank Ron Appleton, community first responder, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. For services to the community in the East of England.
Dean Ron James Appleton, community first responder, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. For services to the community in the East of England.
Joyce Evelyn Smith Dixon, lately head of service for orthoptics, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to Orthoptic Patients.
King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM)
England
Christopher Charles Mann, operations officer, Southwestern Ambulance Service.
Dr Alison Walker, lately medical director, West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Crown Dependencies, Isle of Man
William Daniel Benjamin Bellamy, director of ambulance and transfer services, Isle of Man Ambulance Service
Find out more about the New Year Honours list, and the rest of those recognised, online here.
(Image: Professor Suzanne Rastrick, by Eva Slusarek)