Among the staff recognised for their hard work and dedication is John Stewart, NHS national director of specialised commissioning, from Brighton and Hove, who has been awarded a CBE for services to the NHS.

Stewart leads the commissioning of a £25bn portfolio of specialised NHS services. Highlights of his time leading the service include, reforming the Cancer Drugs Fund, which since 2016 has benefitted more than 100,000 patients with early access to the latest new cancer treatments.

His work also includes helping introduce new treatments for Hepatitis C and Cystic Fibrosis, CAR-T therapy and Proton Beam Therapy for cancer and PrEP for HIV, leading the transformation of children and young people's gender services in line with the independent Cass review.

In 2024, Stewart joined forces again with Lord Darzi to support his most recent investigation of NHS performance having worked closely with him on his 2007/08 NHS Next Stage Review. Following that review, he played a critical role building the national architecture for quality, including establishing the first ever National Quality Board for the NHS.

Stewart said: ‘Whilst receiving this award is truly a personal honour, it reflects the achievements of so many brilliant teams and individuals I have had the privilege of working with over the years to improve services for patients.

‘There is still much work to do, but it is nice to take a moment to reflect on successes and say thank you to colleagues past and present for their support, commitment and ambition for driving improvements in patient care.'

While Zoe Packman, deputy director for nursing service delivery, transformation and resilience at NHS England, was awarded an MBE for services to nursing.

Dr Penelope Shirlaw, chair at London Local Dental Network and honorary consultant, Office of the Chief Dental Officer at NHS England, was awarded an MBE for services to dentistry.

Professor Nicholas Linker, lately national clinical director for heart disease at NHS England, was also awarded an MBE for services to people with heart disease.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital and national director for digital channels has also been honoured with a CBE for services to healthcare. Harrison has overseen the development of the NHS App and plays a central role in defining the digital future of the health service.

He said: ‘I am grateful to so many people in the NHS for the opportunities afforded me in my work; as a patient; and for the treatment the NHS has provided for my family. This institution is rightly treasured - it is an enduring honour to be part of it.'

Also recognised is Dr Matt Kearney awarded who was awarded with an OBE, in recognition for services to health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Dr Kearney is senior advisor for cardiovascular health at UCL partners, an organisation that brings together researchers, NHS and industry.

From 2016-2019, Dr Kearney served as NHS England's first national clinical director for cardiovascular disease prevention. He has been the founder of several major resources driving prevention in primary care.

Marie Gabriel, chair of NHS North East London, has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). The damehood recognises her service, throughout her 45-year career and voluntary endeavours, to health and equity.

Dame Marie is the founding chair of NHS North East London Integrated Care System, and through this role she sits on the Mayor of London's Health Board and is co-chair of the London People Board. In 2020, she was appointed founding chair of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, chairing a board of world-renowned experts and taking a leading role in work to tackle racial bias in health and care.

Dame Marie said: ‘I know that this is really a reflection of the achievements and contributions of the organisations, communities and people that I work with.

‘I am most pleased that it is an illustration of the importance of the ongoing work we do to further equity and improve health outcomes.'

Also receiving a DBE, was Professor Stephanie Amiel, Emeritus Professor of Diabetes Research at Kings College London and consultant at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for services to people living with diabetes.

In addition, Patricia Hewitt has also been made a Dame for services to healthcare transformation. The former health secretary, who has lately chaired the NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, led a review that explored how to empower local leaders to focus on improving outcomes for their populations.

Kathryn Thomson, former chief executive of Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an MBE for services to health.

Thomson started her career in the health service in 1984, predominantly in Merseyside and the North West, spending 15 years as chief executive at Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, before retiring in 2023 after almost 40 years NHS service.

She said: ‘To be recognised with this MBE is an incredible personal honour, but I would also like to dedicate it to my family and the colleagues I worked with over the years, many of whom are still doing amazing work in the NHS to this day for the benefit of patients.

‘I am incredibly proud to represent the NHS and all the organisations I have worked for, in this year's honours.'

Professor Sanjay Arya, medical director and consultant cardiologist at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an OBE for services to black and minority ethnic doctors and healthcare in North West England (Greater Manchester).

Prof Arya said: 'I feel very honoured but I would like to dedicate this credit to all our staff at WWL, my colleagues and the people of the Borough of Wigan.

‘I cannot do any of this alone and I share this with them all, and my wonderful family.'

Ben Hawkins, a volunteer community first responder for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust has been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to emergency care, staff wellbeing and mental health.

Others recognised include:

• Dr Safa Taha Al-Sarra, head of clinical neuropathology at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to medicine.
• Dr Gillian Chumbley, consultant nurse, Imperial College, healthcare NHS Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to nursing.
• Julian Emms, chief executive at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS.
• Susan Jacques, chief executive at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS.
• Dr Gail Miflin, chief medical officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, was awarded an OBE for services to blood and plasma services.
• Matilda Asante-Owusu, sickle cell community matron at Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, Whittington Health NHS Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to nursing.
• Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, consultant neurosurgeon at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to neurosurgery.
• Jennifer Caguioa, lately International Recruitment and Ethnic Minorites Nurse Advisor, NHS England and lately Head of Global, Florence Nightingale Foundation, was awarded an MBE for services to nursing.
• Marimouttou Coumarassamy, deputy chief operating officer at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and founder and chairman of the British Indian Nurse Association, was awarded an MBE for services to supporting international nurses.
• Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta, consultant rheumatologist at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to people with giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
• Jacynth Ivey, board member at NHS Race and Health Observatory, was awarded an MBE for services to nursing.
• Professor David Lloyd, Professor of Surgery and Consultant Laparoscopic and Liver Surgeon at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to surgery.
• Edwin Ndlovu, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at East London NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to the NHS and to nursing.
• Professor Ketevan Tchanturia, Professor of psychology in eating disorders at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London and consultant psychologist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to people with eating disorders and autism.
• Ruth Thomsen, scientific director, London Region, NHS England, was awarded an MBE for services to healthcare science.
• Professor Ajay Vora, lately consultant paediatric haematologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an MBE for services to childhood leukaemia.
• Dr Marion Andrews-Evans, lately executive chief nurse, NHS, Gloucestershire ICB, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to nursing and health and care services.
• Evelyn Blumenthal, volunteer at Royal Free Charity, was awarded the BEM for services to hospital volunteering and to caring for people with dementia.
• •            Catherine Dale, mental health nurse at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded the BEM for services to people with severe mental illness.
• Asma Pandor, lead admiral nurse, Dementia UK, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded a BEM for services to nursing.
• Suzanne Ruggles, founder and chief executive at Full Circle Fund Therapies, was awarded a BEM for services to patients and carers in the NHS.
• Darren Farmer, director of ambulance operations at London Ambulance Service, was awarded with the Kings Ambulance Medal.
• Lisa Ward, director of people at North West Ambulance Service, was awarded with the Kings Ambulance Medal.

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: ‘As we conclude a year in which the NHS has delivered record levels of treatment amid record demand, and still rolled out world-leading innovations such as personalised cancer vaccines to patients, it is fantastic to see so many of our colleagues honoured for the contributions they've made.

‘Whether it is bringing the latest ground-breaking medicines and treatments to the NHS, narrowing health inequalities, or helping prevent heart attacks and strokes, the difference made by those honoured has truly transformed patients' lives.'