Professor Peter Brennan Awarded OBE in King’s Birthday Honours for Contributions to Surgery and Patient Safety

16 June 2025

Professor Peter Brennan, NHS Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and member of the CBS Executive Board, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. This prestigious recognition celebrates his exceptional work in surgery and his tireless efforts to improve patient safety.

A leader in his field, Peter has pioneered innovative collaborations with airline pilots, National Air Traffic Services, and the Red Arrows to bring human factors and safety insights into healthcare. His research has helped reduce medical errors by focusing on teamworking, flattening hierarchies, and addressing human fallibility.

Peter shared his reaction to receiving the honour:
"When I read the letter, I was dumbfounded and overwhelmed. I’m literally blown away by the news – it’s the most extraordinary thing that has ever happened in my career."

In 2022, Peter received the Silver Scalpel Award – the highest UK surgical training honour – and in 2019, he earned a PhD for his groundbreaking research into human factors in patient safety.

As an educator and advocate for equality, diversity, and culture change, Peter’s mission has been clear: to spotlight the importance of human factors in healthcare and promote safer environments for both patients and staff.

"We all make errors – it’s part of being human," Peter said. "But by understanding and addressing the causes, we can make the NHS safer for everyone."

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