• Southport Hospital doctors and critical care staff receive British Empire Medal 
• MBE for ‘caring and compassionate’ hospital chaplain 
• Mayor Steve Rotheram: ‘Their courage, professionalism, and kindness brought comfort and care when it was needed most’ 

NHS staff who responded to the tragic events in Southport have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their services to the community.

Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Dr Chris Goddard and Critical Care doctor, Dr George Bramham were part of the emergency response and surgical team at Southport Hospital, who provided immediate treatment alongside Theatre Practitioner Liz Parsons and Operating Department Practitioner Martin Johnson.

They have all been awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for their actions.

Reverend Martin Abrams, Hospital Chaplain and Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Manager, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Martin received an MBE for services to the community in Merseyside and West Lancashire

Their colleague, Southport Hospital Chaplain Rev. Martin Abrams, is a recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his role spanning the last 13 years including offering tireless support during the Covid pandemic and in the aftermath of last July’s tragic incident.

Senior paramedic team leader for North West Ambulance Service Paul Smith was a first responder who treated victims at the scene. He has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) after ‘he put the needs of the injured before his own safety’. 

Steve Rotheram Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: 

“In the face of one of Southport’s darkest days, Martin, Chris, George, Liz, Martin and Paul were a source of light. Their courage, professionalism, and kindness brought comfort and care when it was needed most – and they’ve never once sought the spotlight for it.

“I’m so proud to see them recognised by His Majesty. This honour speaks not just to their individual dedication, but to the spirit of public service that runs right through our NHS. On behalf of our entire city region – thank you and congratulations.”

Rev Martin Abrams said:

“When I first received the letter, I was amazed, humbled, surprised and excited, all at the same time. I always find recognition like this difficult as I think I am only doing my job. I believe awards and honours are not about an individual, but about the support received from the teams you work with.

“To be recognised with this MBE is an incredible personal honour, but I would also like to say a huge thank you and dedicate it to my wonderful colleagues, family and friends.”

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive Rob Cooper said:

“Everyone at the Trust is extremely proud that Chris, George, Liz and Martin are to receive such a special honour from His Majesty the King. Their response to such a challenging and devastating incident was simply incredible, and their care and compassion for those they treated will never be forgotten.

“I am absolutely delighted that Martin has been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to him on receiving such a prestigious honour. We are all extremely proud of Martin and this achievement is deserved recognition of his dedication and commitment to our patients, staff and local communities.”

The Southport NHS staff were among more than 20 people from the Liverpool City Region to receive King’s Birthday Honours including public servants, charity workers and sports people.

Founder of the Oliver King Foundation, Mark King, was awarded the OBE for services to Public Health.

Mark set up the charity following the sudden death of his son Oliver who had a cardiac arrest whilst taking part in a swimming race at Liverpool’s King David High School in 2011. He went on to lobby the Government to place defibrillators into every school.

Thanks to Mark’s tireless campaigning, it is now a legal requirement for every school in the UK to have a defibrillator with more than 80 lives saved because of them.