A GP who has been supporting St Christopher’s Hospice for more than a quarter of a century has been recognised in the Kings’ Birthday Honours 2026 for “services to palliative care”.
Dr Tyrrell Evans, 75, for 35 years a partner at Paxton Green Group Practice, is being honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his dedication to the local community in south London, including decades of volunteering and fundraising for the hospice where his wife was also supported.
As a much-loved GP he pioneered patient participation in healthcare in the 1990s, founded a long-standing residents’ association, and supported initiatives addressing isolation and vulnerability. His contribution has previously been recognised through a Southwark Civic Award, reflecting decades of dedication to improving both healthcare and community life.
BEMs are awarded to people who have made achievement or contributions to the community in a local geographical area.
Dr Evans was first appointed a Trustee at St Christopher’s Hospice by Dame Cicely Saunders in 2002 and continued in that role until 2017, including a period as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. In 2019 he was made a Vice President. His wife, Siân Evans, a nurse and counsellor, was supported by the Hospice before she died in 2020.
As part of his fundraising in Siân’s memory, Dr Evans launched an appeal through regular Christmas cards to friends and family, helping to raise more than £50,000 to establish the Newly Qualified Nurses Community of Practice which has provided more than 40 hours of training to 90 clinicians across the UK and internationally, with 85% of participants rating their sessions as “excellent” and 96% recommending the programme to colleagues. This was later extended to include the training of GPs in palliative care.
These training programmes have been run by St Christopher’s Centre for Awareness and Response to End of Life (CARE). Dr Evans had also helped to raise money and support for the CARE building in preparation for its opening in 2021.
Dr Tyrrell Evans says:
“I am delighted for my work to have been recognised in our King’s Birthday Honours.
“When Dame Cicely Saunders appointed me back in 2002, she said, you will do a good job for the Hospice, won’t you? I have done my best to fulfil her expectations.
“I am fortunate to have worked with so many skilled, committed and compassionate people. It has been a real pleasure to be part of the teams at Paxton Green and St Christopher’s, and I hope to continue my involvement with our hospice for many years to come.
“May I take this opportunity to thank all my friends and family who have contributed to my wife’s legacy fund for the hospice.”
Steve Smith, Chief Executive of St Christopher’s, says:
“We’re delighted that Tyrrell’s long-standing contributions to St Christopher’s have been recognised by King Charles III in his birthday honours.”
“Tyrrell has dedicated a quarter of a century to supporting both the hospice and the wider palliative care sector and has had a huge impact on the development of professionals across the world.
“We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Tyrrell from everyone here at St Christopher’s and thank him for his continued fundraising and support.”
