Three Bristol NHS Group colleagues have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Professor Andrew Mumford, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) Professor of Haematology and Professor John Sparrow, former Bristol Eye Hospital Ophthalmology and Epidemiology consultant have received MBEs for their significant contributions to health.
Professor David Gunnell, Honorary Consultant at North Bristol Trust (NBT) received a CBE for services to Public Health and Suicide Prevention.
Professor Andrew Mumford has been recognised for his services to Genomic Medicine. Andrew joined UHBW as a consultant in haematology in 2002 and became the Professor of Haematology in 2017. He led the groundbreaking NHS 100,000 Genomes Project and Newborn Genomes Programme in South West (SW) England.
He has built a discovery research team in Bristol that developed new analytical methodology to discover the genetic basis of multiple heritable rare diseases including prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders – where the development of brain function is affected. As Medical Director of the SW England NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub Andrew oversaw development and implementation of genomic medicine for rare diseases and cancer across SW England.
Professor Mumford is also the principal investigator for the national groundbreaking Generation Study, which first launched at St. Michael’s Hospital in Bristol. So far, more than 3,000 babies and families born at NBT and UHBW have taken part in the project aiming to detect rare but treatable genetic conditions at birth.
Professor Andrew Mumford, UHBW Professor of Haematology and Emeritus Professor of Genomic Medicine, 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 John Sparrow received his MBE for his huge contributions to the fields of glaucoma and cataract treatment. As an NHS Consultant Ophthalmologist based at the Bristol Eye Hospital, he treated patients and led multidisciplinary teams for over 30 years.
During that time, Professor Sparrow spearheaded a national audit into cataract surgery and initiated an age-related macular degeneration audit, while also leading on the development of NICE and Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ glaucoma guidelines. He has produced over 300 publications, including 120 original research papers.
Professor John Sparrow, former consultant ophthalmologist at the Bristol Eye Hospital, and Honorary Professor of Ophthalmic Health Services Research and Applied Epidemiology at University of Bristol, 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 was an honorary consultant at NBT and worked closely with colleagues and clinical teams at NBT and UHBW. His research programme focuses on understanding life-course influences on adult mental health and suicide prevention. He has been a trustee for Samaritans and worked with a number of other charitable organisations in the field of mental health. His research has contributed to developing mental health capacity suicide-reduction strategies in the UK and globally.
He has been a member of England’s and the WHO’s suicide prevention strategy groups. During the COVID pandemic he led the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration that helped contribute to understanding the impact of COVID and associated public health prevention measures on suicide risk.
Former honorary NBT consultant and epidemiologist and public health physician Professor David Gunnell, 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."
Maria Kane, Bristol NHS Group Chief Executive, said:
“We are so immensely proud that both Professor Mumford, Professor Sparrow and Professor Gunnell have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the health of people in Bristol and beyond. Professor Mumford has put Bristol on the map in revolutionary genomic medicine. As a leading area of focus for the NHS over the next few years, it’s brilliant that we have such a leader of innovation in Bristol NHS Group.
“Professor Sparrow’s work in ophthalmology is nothing short of prolific, and his specialist work in cataract and glaucoma has seen vital improvements in standards of care over the years. His dedication and passion for treating patients in Bristol Eye Hospital over three decades was exemplary.
“Improving our region’s health can be only maximised by working with our academic and research partners. We’re so proud to be associated with Professor Gunnell’s incredibly important public health work.
“My sincere thanks go out to Andrew, John and David for their service and congratulate then on receiving these deserved honours in recognition of their incredible careers”
Read the full list of honours on GOV.UK.