A BROMSGROVE doctor has been honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

The award recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life

Retired army colonel Dr Jonathan Leach - who served for 25 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps - has been recognised for services to general practice.

For his help providing mental health support for veterans, he has been awarded an OBE.

The GP, who works at Davenal House Surgery in Bromsgrove, lives outside Fernhill Heath, near Worcester.

Dr Leach said: “I am totally stunned, surprised and humbled by the whole thing.

"As a doctor you don’t expect to go into medicine to be a celebrity so when you get a national honour like this it is so humbling. I have had so many letters and notes from people. Thank you to my patients, friends and my colleagues who have taught me so much.”

The 59-year-old is chair of the NHS England Armed Forces and their Families Clinical Reference Group.

In this role, he has been involved in developing a network of ‘veteran-friendly’ NHS GP practices as part of a partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners.

He has helped create a network of 500 surgeries to support military veterans.