A Basingstoke life-saver ended the year on a high by scooping one of the country’s biggest honours.
Bruce Armstrong, a consultant nurse and emergency planning officer at Basingstoke and North Hants Hospital, was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year honours list.
He received the award in recognition of his service to healthcare.
The nurse, who has over 20 years’ healthcare experience, told the Basingstoke Observer: “I am very very chuffed – it's an honour and a privilege to have been given this award.”
Mr Armstrong received the good news on Friday.
Originally from Belfast, Mr Armstrong has lived in Basingstoke for the past five years where he has worked at Basingstoke hospital.
He said: “Since getting the news, the phones and texts have been flooding in. My family back home are very delighted to hear the news.”
However, he said he was accepting the award on behalf of his colleagues at the hospital.
He said: “People who come into the hospital are not looked after by one person. It is a huge team effort.
“Everyone is equally important, from receptionists to medical and support staff. Everybody pulls their weight to give the best care they can, which is what we are trying to achieve every day.
“So I am extremely humbled on behalf of my colleagues. There are hundreds of people who are are just as deserving of recognition as me.”
Outside of his hospital work, Mr Armstrong is an officer in the Territorial Army were he has provided medical support in Kosovo, Oman and Afghanistan.
In Helmand Province in 2008, he helped set up the emergency department at Camp Bastion.
He also became the first accredited nurse in Hampshire to gain full membership of the British Association of Immediate Care (BASICS).
BASICS respond voluntarily in support of the Ambulance Service to specific emergency situations where additional medical support is needed.
Chief executive Mary Edwards said: “We are absolutely delighted that Bruce has been recognised. He is an outstanding nurse and colleague.”
Also on the honours list was Baughurst resident Philip John Remnant who was awarded an OBE for his services to the financial services industry and public sector.
