North Lincolnshire speech and language therapist awarded honorary degree

Dr Bryony Simpson MBE, deputy medical director and speech and language therapist at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, received the award from Leeds Beckett University during a graduation ceremony.

It comes a month after she travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE. Both achievements recognise her commitment to speech and language services.

Bryony said: “This award means a huge amount to me. I have been associated with this university for four decades. I did my masters here in the 1990’s and it’s a huge pleasure to be back.

“Leeds Beckett University holds a very special place in my heart and I can honestly say my time there changed my life. Working with the university as a student educator, examiner, researcher and lecturer has been a privilege and a pleasure.

“This university turns out excellent therapists, not just theoreticians and many have gone on to work in northern Lincolnshire. I continue to work as a therapist one-day a week and the opportunity to transform the lives of others is challenging and rewarding.”

Over the past 35 years Bryony has notched up many achievements - the launch of the North Lincolnshire Communication Strategy in 2013 is one of her proudest moments.

She said: “My career has been such a positive experience and taught me so much. I am hugely grateful to the Trust I work for as it is supportive of all work that improves services for patients and their families.”

Bryony, a married mum-of-three, wants to thank her family who she says have been a constant source of inspiration and have helped to raise awareness of the issues for those with speech, language and swallowing difficulties.

She added: “I will continue to raise awareness with my ultimate aim to help get communication difficulties recognised nationally as a disability.”