Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff recognised in New Year Honours

2 members of staff from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Dr Penelope Shirlaw, consultant in oral medicine and honorary reader at King’s College London, was made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and Professor Richard Leach, consultant physician in respiratory and critical care medicine and honorary professor at King’s College London, has been made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.

Dr Shirlaw was recognised for her services to dentistry. Over her 35-year career she has contributed to dentistry care locally and across the UK.

At Guy’s and St Thomas’, she has held multiple roles, including clinical director of the dental service. Dr Shirlaw played a key role in transforming outpatient care at the Trust, leading on the development of Gassiot House, an outpatient centre at St Thomas’ Hospital. She was also responsible for developing the local anaesthetic allergy service, ensuring patients’ anaesthetic is personalised to them, resulting in safer surgery.

Currently, Dr Shirlaw is chair of the London region of the Local Dental Professional Network (LDN) and works with NHS England. She has previously been president of the British and Irish Society for Oral Medicine, chair of the Association of Dental Hospitals, and vice dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Dr Penelope Shirlaw said:

It was a tremendous honour to receive this award. I have dedicated my career to the NHS, and the progress being made in dental and oral health care across the UK has been made possible by the support of wonderful colleagues along the way.

Professor Richard Leach was recognised for his personal service to the monarch and the royal family. Alongside working at the Trust, he was appointed The King’s Physician in 2022, and provides care for the Royal Family.

Since starting at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in 1994, Professor Leach has been clinical director for both acute (integrated care) and pulmonary and critical care medicine. Alongside his clinical duties, he also has enthusiastically supported medical and nursing education, and was appointed an honorary professor of medicine at King’s College London in 2022. 

Reflecting on his work at Guy’s and St Thomas’, Professor Leach said:

I have worked at the Trust for over 30 years. During this time, it has been a privilege to care for so many patients, help train numerous junior colleagues, and make many lifelong friendships.