RCEM members’ work has been recognised in the New Year Honours List for 2026
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has seen the New Year in with style, with members featured in the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026.
Professor Sir Tony Redmond and Professor Alan Fletcher were mentioned in the Honours List, which recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.
Professor Sir Tony Redmond KCMG (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George) OBE is recognised for his exceptional and long-term contributions to healthcare and humanitarian response, both in the UK and internationally. He becomes the first RCEM member to receive a knighthood.
Professor Sir Redmond said: “For me, this award recognises not just my own work in Emergency Medicine, but also the work of all those who have guided and supported me over my career. Those colleagues who have worked tirelessly over the years, to not only establish a new speciality, but to accelerate its progress to the place it now holds in the wider medical profession. Such a level of development, in such a short space of time, has only been possible by the ambition and skilful guidance of the RCEM, and its establishment of a professional framework within which we Emergency Physicians can flourish.”
The second member to be honoured, Professor Alan Fletcher, lately National Medical Examiner for England and Wales, NHS England, received an OBE for services to the NHS (Sheffield, South Yorkshire).
Professor Fletcher said: “I am delighted and honoured to have received an OBE for my time as National Medical Examiner. As a Fellow of the RCEM and knowing many medical examiners are Members and Fellows of the College, I encourage those who have dedicated themselves to emergency medicine to continue growing and learning in their role, and am incredibly proud to be part of such a worthwhile cause.”
Another member receiving praise was Lt Col Natasha Chatham-Zvelebil, who achieved an MBE in the New Years Honours list. She was followed by member Dr Alison Walker, who after helping develop the ambulance service nationally over the last 30 years has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Medal, recognising her dedication and distinguished service to the ambulance sector. She received a prestigious RCEM Medal in 2022 for her work developing links between emergency medicine and the ambulance services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Walker said: “I am absolutely delighted with the award, if slightly taken aback that I have been nominated when so many people in the ambulance service work so hard, day in day out.
“I still love treating patients and seeing that, as a team, the difference we can make to patients’ lives on what is probably the worst day of their life. I am also incredibly proud of the work I have done with colleagues behind the scenes developing the paramedic profession and know that our work has helped to save countless lives.”
Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “We’re really pleased to see three of our members’ hard work recognised like this. They all more than deserve their honours for their effort over many years – both behind the scenes as well as when they have been in the thick of it.
“It’s a proud day for us all at the RCEM, especially as Professor Sir Redmond is our first member to be knighted. They are all inspiring human beings who we would like to congratulate on behalf of all our members.”
For more information, please visit: Former medical director recognised for her contributions to WMAS and ambulance sector – West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust