The former matron of a Shropshire hospice is among a string of hardworking and dedicated Shropshire and Mid Wales people rewarded for their commitment today in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Annette Rushton, former matron at Severn House Hospice in Shrewsbury, has been honoured with an MBE for her services to health care.

Mrs Rushton’s honour was one of seven OBEs and MBEs awarded to people in Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Mrs Rushton, of Welshpool, stepped down from her role at the Shrewsbury-based hospice earlier this year after 19 years’ service.

The nursing director played a vital role in the expansion of the hospice’s care for patients and their families.

Mrs Rushton, 55, said today that she had been left “flabbergasted” by the news.

She said: “I was completely surprised when I first heard that I’d been awarded an MBE for my services in health care.

“I was nursing for 37 years and it’s something that I loved doing because I got so much out of it.

“But I’m accepting this award as a tribute to the work of the Severn Hospice because it was a huge privilege for me to work with such a fantastic team.

“I feel a sense of pride in all the team achieves in caring for patients and their families at what is a very difficult time.”

Mrs Rushton is studying at the University of Chester for a diploma in counselling and is on placement at the Hamar Centre, attached to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The centre provides a counselling service for people with cancer and other long-term and serious illnesses and for their relatives and carers.

An OBE was awarded to Susan Ann Higham, business design manager at HM Revenue and Customs in Telford.

Mrs Higham, of Maesbrook, near Oswestry, was honoured for her work to modernise Pay As You Earn.

Frederick Geoffrey Davies, of Crickhowell, Powys, has also been awarded on OBE for his services to the administration of justice. He is a member of both the Gwent Magistrates Bench and the Wales Bench Chairmen’s Forum.

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