London Ambulance Service’s Chief Medical Officer recognised in New Year Honours list

The Chief Medical Officer of London Ambulance Service, Dr Fenella Wrigley, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for services to the NHS.

Fenella has dedicated her career to caring for the people of London since graduating from St George’s University Medical School in 1996, doing her specialist training in emergency medicine and working on London’s Air Ambulance, before becoming an A+E Consultant in 2006.

Fenella joined London Ambulance Service in 2008 as an Assistant Medical Director, and was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in 2016 and more recently Deputy Chief Executive. She maintains her consultant role, working regularly in the emergency department of the Royal London (part of Barts Health NHS Trust).

Fenella said:

“I am truly honoured and humbled to have been awarded an MBE for services to the NHS. But, as with every achievement and success in the NHS, this has only been made possible because of the teams I work with.

“I am very proud to be a doctor, and to know that – with teamwork – we can provide fantastic care to people when they need us most. I would like to say thank you to my colleagues at London Ambulance Service and at The Royal London for all that we achieve together.”

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said:

“I am thrilled that Fenella has been named as a recipient for this prestigious honour. Fenella is absolutely committed to the health and wellbeing of our patients, and is steadfast in her support for our staff and their continued development.”

Since joining London Ambulance Service, Fenella has led a number of pioneering initiatives within London and nationally, to further improve urgent and emergency care at the country’s busiest ambulance service. This includes introducing remote telephone assessments for patients, the mental health joint response vehicles (which teams paramedics with mental health specialists), and bringing together NHS 111 and 999 services so our urgent and emergency services can work together and ensure all patients can access the right treatment closer to home.

Fenella has also helped care for patients and deal with the impact of major incidents and was one of the first on scene at the 7/7 bombings and subsequently provided strategic clinical leadership for multiple major incidents including Grenfell and the 2017 terrorist incidents.

Shane DeGaris, group chief executive, Barts Health NHS Trust said: “Throughout her time at The Royal London Hospital, Fenella has been dedicated to our patients and making sure they get the best possible care. I’m delighted Fenella has been recognised for all her hard work, this award is very well deserved and I would like to congratulate her from everyone at Barts Health.”

Throughout her career at the ambulance service, Fenella has also helped to introduce the Trust’s first full time pharmacist, create a development programme for paramedics so they can further their careers and skills, and is the national lead as medical advisor for ambulance services.

And as if Fenella wasn’t kept busy enough with her day job, she continues to work as a volunteer doctor for St John Ambulance leading the medical cover for ceremonial events and is also the Chief Medical Officer for the All England Tennis Club, playing a key role in looking after the players and spectators during the Wimbledon Championships.