One of the North West’s top nurses has been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, as dozens of other dedicated NHS staff from the region and across the country are named for their contributions to healthcare.

The honours have been awarded to an array of NHS staff in the North West including one of the region’s top nurses, a leading children’s surgeon, an individual working at the vanguard of mental health services and a number of GPs.

James McLean Joint Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England in the North West and former Deputy Chief Nurse, for Programme Delivery at Health Education England has been recognised as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Nursing. James has been in nursing for 34 years, and after training at St James’ University Hospital in Leeds, followed a path into critical care nursing. He is dually qualified as a Registered General Nurse and Registered Children’s Nurse holding speciality qualifications in paediatric critical care, advancing practice, SRO Programme management and Leadership.

James said: “I am immensely proud to have been recognised in this way and deeply humbled as I have worked with some truly amazing people throughout my career.”

The head of the NHS in the North West praised the hard working and dedicated NHS staff across the region who have been recognised once again in this year’s list.

Richard Barker, Regional Director for NHS England North West said: “It is an honour to work alongside dedicated and caring colleagues who have been recognised in this year’s King’s New Year’s Honours.

“We have had some challenging times over the past few years in the North West, and it has been inspiring to see the way people have risen to the challenge. I am pleased to see their dedication recognised and would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all staff who have worked hard this throughout the year providing excellent care for those living in our communities.”

Other NHS staff in the North West recognised include:

• Professor Simon Kenny, the National Clinical Director for Children and Young People for NHS England and a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, has been awarded an OBE for services to Paediatric Surgery. Professor Kenny is an experienced paediatric surgeon with a specialist interest in urology and lower gastrointestinal surgery. He trained in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Australia prior to taking up a consultant appointment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in 2003 where, as a consultant paediatric and neonatal surgeon, he is introducing advanced minimally invasive paediatric surgery. He continues to make a difference in the lives of patients through his tireless work to make improvements in children’s surgery.
• Kathryn Roberts, Chief Executive Officer for the Association of Mental Health Providers has been awarded an MBE for services to Mental Health. Ms Roberts has 40 years’ experience in the NHS, local authority and third sector leadership roles at a strategic level. She has been the Chief Executive of the Associations of Mental Health Providers since April 2012. Kathryn initiated the creation of the Mental Health Sustainability Programme (MHSP) to support small grassroots providers of mental health services disproportionately impacted by Covid.
• Dr Catherine Hubbert, who is a Macmillan GP and Founder of the Woodlands Hospice Charitable Trust, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to Palliative Care.
• Dr Jane Wilcock, who is the Chair of the North West Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and works as a GP at Silverdale Medical Practice in Swinton, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to General Practice.

You can see the full list of recipients for the New Year’s Honours on the government website from Monday 1 January 2024.