BAPEN extends its huge congratulations to Carolyn Wheatley for being awarded with an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for 2025.

Announced today, the title recognises Carolyn’s extensive contribution to supporting patients with intestinal failure. Carolyn’s advocacy work in this field spans almost four decades and is rooted in her own experience as a person with intestinal failure who is fed intravenously with parenteral nutrition. BAPEN is delighted to see that Carolyn’s fierce commitment to improve standards of nutritional care and patient experience has been recognised in this way.

Commenting on the news, Carolyn Wheatley said,

“I am deeply honoured to receive an MBE for my work supporting people living with intestinal failure and adjusting to home artificial nutrition support. It is a privilege to support people who like me who also face health and lifestyle challenges with intestinal failure. PINNT was established by patients who were keen to offer a supportive forum, in addition to ensuring that we contributed to improving the patient experience. I am proud to be the current Chair of PINNT and as the charity approaches 40 years, I remain passionate about the cause.

I am very humbled and grateful to have been recognised in His Majesty’s New Year Honours List 2025 and look forward to continue working to achieve meaningful improvements for patients in need of nutrition support.”

BAPEN President, Dr Nick Thompson, offered his congratulations,

“On behalf of all members of BAPEN I would like to give the warmest congratulations to Carolyn on being awarded an MBE. This is very, very well deserved. Carolyn has been a passionate and dedicated advocate for patients needing artificial nutrition – she been a great source of sensible, firm and measured advice to BAPEN Council, Executive and Presidents for many years and we are in her debt. Just last month she was persuading the Northern Ireland Minister of Health to take action to improve access for paediatric nutrition nurse specialists!”

BAPEN has the privilege of a close association with Carolyn, in her role as Chair of the Patient Network Special Interest Group and as Chair of the patient group that supports people to adjust to life on artificial nutrition at home.