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 recognised 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.
Siân Evans
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.”
—————–
Bio: Dr Tyrrell Evans
Dr Tyrrell Evans is a long-standing former GP and community leader based in Dulwich, south London, with more than three decades of dedicated public service. A passionate advocate for high-quality end-of-life care, he has supported St Christopher’s Hospice for over 24 years as a Trustee, Vice Chair, Vice President and fundraiser, and dedicated much of his life to championing the role of communities and primary care in supporting people at the end of life.
Driven by both professional and personal experience of our work, Dr Evans has played a pivotal role in advancing education and training in palliative care, helping to establish pioneering programmes for newly qualified nurses and GPs that are improving patient care in the UK and internationally.
His fundraising efforts have directly supported major initiatives, including the development of St Christopher’s Centre for Awareness and Response to End of Life.
Alongside his hospice work, Dr Evans has a strong record of community leadership, from founding a local residents’ association to supporting initiatives tackling isolation and vulnerability. Known for his innovation, compassion and commitment, he has received civic recognition for his contributions and continues to inspire others through his advocacy and voluntary service.
About St Christopher’s Hospice
- Each person is unique, so we ask ‘what matters to you?’ and then tailor our care to meet social, emotional and spiritual needs, as well as manage physical symptoms.
- Everyone should have access to the best care at the end of their lives and through a blend of expert practice, education and research we work with people across the world to improve and develop hospice care.
- We usually have over 1,800 people under our care at any one time, and last year we provided care and support to over 4,700 patients and 1,724 carers at home, out in the community and in the hospice.
- We supported 364 children through our Candle Child Bereavement Service.
- We supported 760 people with in-person or face-to-face adult bereavement sessions last year.
- We have over 500 dedicated staff and over 1,000 amazing volunteers.
- More than 6,000 attended an event hosted by our Centre for Awareness and Response to End of life from 76 different countries.
- You can support the hospice by donating, volunteering or shopping at one of our 23 local high street shops.
- You can find our website by searching “stchristophers.org.uk” online, and we are also on social media – search @StChrisHospice on Twitter and Instagram.
Leave a Reply