Prestigious honour for Western Eye Hospital consultant
Many congratulations to Professor Philip Bloom, who has been appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order (LVO) in the King’s New Year Honours. This prestigious honour is awarded for significant service to the Monarch or Royal Family and is in recognition of Philip's work as surgeon oculist (eye surgeon) to His Majesty the King.
Philip is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Western Eye Hospital, where he has worked for almost 30 years. He first qualified in 1984 at Bristol University and trained in Bristol, the Western Eye and Moorfields Eye Hospitals. He has been president of the UK & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, chair of Glaucoma UK (formerly the International Glaucoma Association), as well as trustee and board member of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM). Philip has also held roles as council member and president of the RSM Ophthalmology Section and as a Keeler Scholarship Board trustee (Royal College of Ophthalmologists).
Philip's special clinical and research interests include minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (including glaucoma laser treatments), neuro-protection, surgical simulation/training and spectacle independence after cataract surgery. His research has resulted in over 100 peer-reviewed research papers, articles in scientific journals, books and other academic materials.
In addition to his clinical work and research, Philip has extensive experience in medical education. He is an honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine and associate professor at Plymouth University School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Alongside Philip, three other Imperial College Healthcare staff were also recognised in the King's New Year Honours List: Dr Dominique Allwood, director of population health, Professor Neil Poulter, honorary consultant physician and epidemiologist, and Dr Frances Akor, consultant pharmacist (anticoagulation).
Professor Philip Bloom, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Western Eye hospital, said: "It means so much to be recognised in the King's New Year Honours.
"I am incredibly passionate about providing the best possible eye care and latest cutting-edge treatments for all my patients. It is a privilege to have had the opportunity to work in this area for over 35 years now, alongside so many talented colleagues. I look forward to continuing this journey and helping many more patients, directly and through research, over the coming months and years."
Professor Tim Orchard, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "I'm delighted that Professor Philip Bloom has been appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order in the King’s New Year Honours. It is great to see his outstanding work, as a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Trust across almost 30 years and as the King’s oculist, being recognised in this way.
"It's a huge source of pride that four Trust staff have been named in this year's New Year Honours and a wonderful reminder of the hugely talented people we have working across our hospitals.
"On behalf of our whole organisation, congratulations, Dr Dominique Allwood, Professor Neil Poulter, Dr Frances Akor and Professor Philip Bloom."
