The RCN has sent congratulations to the nursing staff recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, with our President Bejoy Sebastian calling them “an inspiration”.
Several nursing leaders – including those with strong ties to the RCN – have been recognised in the list, which is announced in June to celebrate King Charles’s official birthday.
Among those to receive honours for services to nursing this year are:
- Dr Crystal Oldman – who is on the board of trustees of the RCN Foundation – receives a Damehood (DBE).
- Sue Tranka – the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales – is awarded a Damehood (DBE).
- Rachel Hollis – former chair of the RCN’s Professional Nursing Committee and RCN Fellow – has been awarded an OBE.
- Paul Trevatt – former member of the RCN’s Professional Nursing Committee and RCN Fellow – receives an MBE.
- Helen Whyley – former RCN Wales Executive Director – is awarded an MBE.
Crystal Oldman is an independent community nursing consultant, with a nursing career spanning more than 45 years. She was previously the Chief Executive of charity the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN).
Sue Tranka has 32 years of varied experience in nursing and has spent the last 25 years working in the NHS. She trained as a midwife, registered general nurse, mental health nurse and community nurse.
Rachel Hollis spent almost 30 years working in paediatric oncology and haematology. She was made an RCN Fellow in recognition of her contribution to the nursing of children with cancer.
Paul Trevatt has worked in cancer and palliative care nursing for more than 30 years. He is also the co-founder of the campaign to protect the title nurse, along with our Deputy President Professor Alison Leary.
RCN Fellows Paul and Rachel are named in the year that we celebrate 50 years of the title FRCN (Fellows of the RCN), the highest honour we give to our members.
Helen Whyley – currently RCN Executive Director of Service Innovation – first joined RCN Wales in 1999. She also previously worked in the office of the Welsh Government’s Chief Nursing Officer, where her achievements include advising on policy for the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016; and leading a review of the Post Registration Career Framework for Nurses.
RCN President Bejoy Sebastian said:
“Congratulations to all those in the nursing community who have been recognised.
“Your achievement demonstrates how highly valued nursing is. All of those being honoured should be enormously proud.
“Nursing is an incredible and rewarding profession and you are an inspiration to the nursing staff of today and tomorrow. Your shining example shows the difference we can make and represents the very best of the profession.”
