Nominations Committee announce awards
We are delighted to announce details of the awards from the January 2026 meeting of the RCoA Nominations Committee.
Professor Bruce Biccard - Honorary Fellowship
Professor Bruce Biccard has been nominated for his exceptional leadership in advancing low-cost, high-impact healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Renowned for his pioneering research into perioperative outcomes in Africa, he has led large-scale collaborative studies through the African Surgical Outcomes Study and the African Perioperative Research Group. This work has revealed stark disparities in surgical safety across the continent and driven a bold vision to make surgery safer and more affordable through research, data integration, capacity building and education – offering a model with global relevance.
Professor Biccard will be admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the College at Diplomates Day, Friday 4 September 2026.
Professor Scarlett McNally - Honorary Fellowship
Professor Scarlett McNally has served as Co-Deputy Director of the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) since its inception in 2019, concluding her leadership in January 2026, and is proudly nominated by the CPOC Leadership Team for a Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions over six years.
A founding member of the CPOC Board and Executive, she has been instrumental in championing the surgical voice while fostering collaborative, integrated care across the perioperative pathway, becoming a nationally and internationally recognised ambassador for CPOC through her passion for improving patient outcomes and engaging diverse audiences—delivering 42 speaking engagements in 2025 alone, including a memorable and energising session at Anaesthesia 2025.
Combining 30 years of clinical expertise as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with academic qualifications (MBA and MA in Clinical Education) and personal patient experience, Professor McNally has played a pivotal role in shaping CPOC into a leading centre of excellence, influencing policy, education, and clinical practice while advancing the understanding and adoption of perioperative care across all specialities.
Professor McNally will be admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the College at Diplomates Day, Friday 4 September 2026.
Dr Sian Jaggar - College Medal
Dr Siân Jaggar was nominated for her work both as a consultant anaesthetist and for her work for the College. Dr Jaggar has recently retired (and returned) as a consultant in adult and paediatric cardiac anaesthesia, pain relief and critical care. In addition to her clinical career, she has worked tirelessly and continuously in service to the College, holding numerous roles over more than 25 years, including hospital-level educational posts and senior positions as an examiner and leader within the College. In addition, she has a passion to support anaesthetists in LMIC areas, supporting them as they develop their knowledge and practice.
Dr Jaggar will be presented with her award at the annual conference dinner in Brighton on 13 May 2026.
Dr Annie Hunningher - Dudley Buxton Prize
Dr Annie Hunningher was nominated for her sustained and influential contribution to anaesthesia, patient safety, human factors, perioperative practice and safety science across local, regional and national systems. She is widely recognised for her passion and leadership in improving safety culture, strengthening system learning and designing high-impact multidisciplinary education.
Dr Hunningher will be presented with her award at the annual conference dinner in Brighton on 13 May 2026.
Dr Gunjeet Dua - President’s Commendation
Dr Dua was nominated for her work as an outstanding educational leader, whose impact on anaesthetic and airway education has been profound, sustained and wide-reaching, at a local, regional, national and international level. She works tirelessly behind the scenes, and her influence is evident in the programmes she has built, the educators she has mentored, and the thousands of clinicians who have benefited from her teaching.
Dr Dua will be presented with her award at the annual conference dinner in Brighton on 13 May 2026.
Jenny Westaway - President’s Commendation
Jenny Westaway was nominated in recognition of her work as Chair of the newly rebranded PatientsVoices@RCoA. Over the past three years, she has played a key role in strengthening and amplifying the voice of PatientsVoices@RCoA. Her leadership has been particularly effective in bringing together patient perspectives, raising the group’s profile and visibility, and working alongside staff and clinicians to broaden the ways the College engages with patients. She has deepened the impact of patient and public involvement at the College through her outstanding and collaborative leadership and driven a cultural shift in how the College listens to patients.
Jenny will be presented with her award at the annual conference dinner in Brighton on 13 May 2026.
Professor Tony Wildsmith
After several years of meticulous research, Professor Wildsmith has published his manuscript on the Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA): “The UK Diploma in Anaesthetics: A world first in the path to an independent speciality”. At present, the publication is online, and a small print run is planned.
Professor Wildsmith was born and grew up in rural Gloucestershire. Educated at the King’s School in Gloucester, the Cathedral’s statue of Jenner sparked an early interest in medicine and its history. Both undergraduate and postgraduate training were in Edinburgh, where he was Consultant/Senior Lecturer at the Royal Infirmary before being appointed Foundation Professor in Dundee. At the College, he served two terms as an elected member of Council, gave the Hewitt Lecture, was awarded the Gold Medal and has also been Honorary Archivist. Regional anaesthesia was his main clinical and research focus, with the history of the specialty also a major interest which has continued into retirement.
Professor Wildsmith will receive a bound copy of his manuscript at a Council meeting later this year. His online manuscript can be accessed here.