Rachel Munton has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list, for services to healthcare.

Rachel (56) from Nottingham retired last August as Managing Director of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN), following a 38-year NHS career.

Starting as a Healthcare Assistant in 1978, Rachel worked at every level of the NHS from student, staff and senior nurse to clinical manager and director of nursing, and ultimately in regional and national positions that contributed to the transformation of health services and patient care.

Her dedication was also recognised in 2014 when she was highlighted as one of the most inspirational women in the NHS by the Health Service Journal, and in 2015 Rachel received an East Midlands Collaborative Leadership award at the NHS Leadership Recognition awards.

She joined the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network in 2013, retiring from the NHS in July 2016. EMAHSN is one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks in England - established by the NHS to identify and spread innovation in healthcare - and Rachel was instrumental in setting up the organisation.

Rachel’s has, and continues to contribute to wider and voluntary causes. These include mentoring and lecturing for young health professionals, ensuring a focus on equality and diversity and providing inspiration to many hundreds of students and professionals at the start of their careers. In addition Rachel has previously supported charities including Pow!, a Nottingham voluntary organisation supporting the rights of sex workers.

“This came as a complete surprise and I am truly honoured in many ways,” said Rachel. “I have been pleased to contribute to healthcare throughout my career, alongside dedicated colleagues, staff and students. The courage and resilience of patients, and in particular the people who use mental health services, were the true sources of inspiration to me every day of my NHS career.”

Rachel continues to work as an independent chair, facilitator and mentor, putting her decades of experience to good use by supporting organisations and individuals to develop their leadership approaches and collaborations. Rachel was also recently appointed as a lay member to Mansfield and Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Group governing bodies.

EMAHSN’s Independent Chair, Martin Hindle, said: “I am delighted Rachel has received this award. She has spent her entire professional life working for the benefit of patients and diverse communities. From her first job as a healthcare assistant to her roles leading organisations that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in healthcare, her passion and sheer enthusiasm inspired everyone she worked with.

“This is a deserved honour and I am delighted that Rachel’s long and distinguished service to healthcare has been recognised by Her Royal Highness the Queen.”

Peter Homa, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and EMAHSN Vice-Chair, said: “There are few colleagues in the NHS that have made such an important, positive impact on patients and staff as Rachel has. Rachel led the establishment of the high performing East Midlands Academic Health Science Network from its inception.

“She is regarded as a visionary, values-led leader who encourages staff to achieve exceptional results. These results have made a substantial difference to thousands of NHS patients, their loved ones, and staff through the adoption of best practice. This OBE is a truly fitting celebration of an exceptional individual who dedicated her working life to the improvement of patient care.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS: for photos of Rachel contact Chris Taylor on 07738 151 041. Highlights from her 38-year health service career are summarised below (most recent appointment first):

• Independent chair, facilitator and mentor (from 2016)
• Managing Director, East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (2013-16)
• Director of Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research & Care (CLAHRC) Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire & Lincolnshire (2011-13)
• Director of the East Midlands Leadership Academy (2009-2013)
• Interim Director of Nursing with NHS East Midlands (2010-11)
• Executive Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (2006-09)
• Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Group for the UK Department of Health (2004-08)
• Interim Deputy Chief Executive of the Mental Health Act Commission (2005-06)
• Director of Mental Health Nursing at the Department of Health (2002-03)
• Course Director at the School of Nursing, University of Nottingham (1996-2000)
• Nurse Teacher, Sister / Charge Nurse Development Programme & other teaching roles at the Nottingham School of Nursing and Midwifery (1991-94)
• Clinical Manager, Community Mental Health, Nottingham Mental Health Trust (1989-91)
• Nursing roles at Nottingham City Hospital and Nottingham Mental Health Trust (1982-89)
• Student Adult Nurse at the Nottingham School of Nursing and Midwifery (1978-82)
• Healthcare Assistant at Lincolnshire Rauceby Hospital (1978 -79)

Media enquiries: Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.