London Ambulance Service Chief Medical Officer receives MBE at Windsor Castle

The Chief Medical Officer of London Ambulance Service Dr Fenella Wrigley has received an MBE in recognition of her contributions to healthcare and the NHS.

The prestigious honour, presented by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle, recognises Dr Wrigley’s distinguished career caring for London since she graduated from St George’s University Medical School in 1996.

Dr Wrigley joined London Ambulance Service in 2008 as an Assistant Medical Director, was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in 2016 and more recently became Deputy Chief Executive. She maintains her consultant role, working regularly in the emergency department of the Royal London, which is part of Barts Health NHS Trust. She also volunteers with St John Ambulance and is Chief Medical Officer for the All England Lawn Tennis Club and Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Dr Wrigley said:

“Receiving this honour was a very special day. I have been privileged to work for the NHS alongside such extraordinary people who always inspired me and supported me to do the best for our patients.

“I want to offer thanks to my colleagues at the London Ambulance Service and The Royal London and pay tribute to their considerable achievements and the exceptional teamwork that have helped me become the doctor I am today.”

London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said:

“This honour is so well deserved. Fenella is totally dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our patients and consistently champions the growth and support of our staff so I’m thrilled she has been recognised in this way.”

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, teaming 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.

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.