Cancer nurse appointed MBE in New Year Honours

Philippa Jones began training to be a nurse, almost 50 years ago on 1 January 1974

A woman who developed a triage tool to improve care for cancer patients has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Philippa Jones, from Knockin near Oswestry, who has worked in the NHS for 50 years, has been appointed an MBE for her services to oncology.

The tool, which was launched in 2010 after four years of development, identifies the symptoms that cancer patients are experiencing and highlights the degree of the care they need.

Ms Jones said she was "totally surprised and quite overwhelmed" to be named on the honours list.

The system that she designed alongside a small group of oncologists, is now used as the standard of care around the UK and has been adopted internationally.

She added the tool had become "a language" that provided a standardised grading system and highlighted the steps that needed to taken when patients were unwell.

"We have started a movement from nothing and my name is on the MBE but I want to share it with as many people as possible because I have led on pieces of work, but there are lots of people who have worked alongside me," she said.

Ms Jones, who who trained as a nurse, continues to provide advice and guidance to develop acute oncology services.

Chef de mission of Paralympics GB Penny Briscoe, who grew up in Telford, is also among those recognised

Penny Briscoe OBE, who grew up in Telford, has become a CBE for services to Paralympics.

Briscoe, was the chef de mission for Paralympics GB at five Paralympic games, including Paris 2024.

She has been recognised in the Honours list twice before, after she was appointed an MBE in 2013 and OBE in 2017.

Luke Pollard, from Telford, the sighted guide of Para-triathlete David Ellis, has been appointed an MBE for services to Para-triathlon.

The pair won gold in the men's PTVI Paralympic triathlon at the Paris Olympics and topped the podium at the World Triathlon Para Championship in October.

Other Honours recipients from Shropshire include:

• Matthew Kearney, from Shrewsbury, becomes an OBE for services to health and to the prevention of cardiovascular disease

• Peter Thornton Laybourn, from Church Stretton, appointed OBE for services to the green economy and to climate action through industrial symbiosis

• Robert Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, appointed OBE for services to education and to sustainability