A critical care doctor and a former midwife from King’s College Hospital have received New Year’s honours from the Queen.
Dr Tom Best, King’s clinical director for critical care, was awarded an MBE for services to critical care, particularly for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He featured in the Channel 4 documentary Surviving Covid and is credited by the trust with being instrumental in ensuring the hospital could respond to the high number of patients needing intensive care during the first wave of the pandemic.
Jill Demilew, a former consultant midwife at King’s, was also recognised in the New Year honours list; for services to midwifery.
During her career, Jill had helped to address health inequalities and improve access to healthcare for the most vulnerable women in south London.
A champion on the ‘continuity of care’ model, Jill’s work means women in south London and across the South West Local Maternity System have the same group of midwives throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care.
Professor Clive Kay, King’s Chief Executive, congratulated both.
“All of us at King’s are very proud of Tom and Jill for the hard work and dedication that has led to them being recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours,” he said.
“They have made significant contributions in their fields and I’m delighted it has been recognised at a national level.
“Many congratulations to them both.”