A STALWART nurse instrumental in leading an antiracist agenda across the North West, a retired doctor who founded a pioneering programme supporting hundreds of refugee and asylum seeker doctors and nurses to regain their professional qualifications and work in the UK, and a GP who volunteered his time to support the Southport community in the aftermath of the tragic mass stabbing attack on 29 July 2024, were among those recognised for their services in the New Year’s Honours.

The NHS in the North West today honours the exceptional dedication and service of NHS staff across the region, highlighted by prestigious recognitions in the New Year’s Honours list, with six remarkable individuals named for the profound impact their tireless work has had on healthcare in the North West.

The honours come at the end of a year in which the NHS dealt with record levels of demand and an early surge in winter viruses, but staff have continued working hard to bring down waiting times further.

Jackie Hanson, former Joint Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England in the North West, and currently a Non-Executive Director at Manchester University NHS FT, was a stalwart figure in the regional team for many years.

Jackie provided outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, was instrumental in driving the establishment of the North West antiracism programme and was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the nursing profession and health services leadership.

Jackie said: “I am deeply honoured and proud to receive this award that has been given in recognition of my leadership contribution to nursing and health services.

“I have been enormously privileged to work alongside dedicated, hardworking and compassionate staff who have strived to improve the quality of health care services for communities and patients within the North West.

“I dedicate this award to all of them and thank them for their support and guidance throughout my career.”

NHS England North West Regional Director, Louise Shepherd, said: “Jackie brought immense knowledge, compassion, and exceptional leadership to the regional team.

“This well-deserved award is a tribute to her unique compassion, kindness, experience, rigour, and unwavering determination to deliver the best for patients.

“Every one of the individuals recognised in these awards represent achievements and milestones that underscore the unwavering commitment of NHS staff to delivering high-quality, equitable care for all.

“We are deeply grateful to all of them for their services.”

Dr Maeve Keaney, former Consultant Microbiologist at Salford Royal Hospital, was also awarded an MBE for services to Refugee Doctors in Greater Manchester.

In 2003, Maeve founded the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Centre for Healthcare Professionals Education (REACHE) project, a pioneering programme that has supported hundreds of refugee and asylum seeker doctors and nurses to regain their professional qualifications and return to clinical practice in the NHS.

Since then, REACHE has supported over 700 displaced healthcare professionals, many joining the NHS, strengthening local healthcare economies, workforce capacity and patient care.

Through sustained civic and system partnerships at Northern Care Alliance NHS FT, Maeve established a model that translates untapped clinical expertise into long-term value for the NHS.

Maeve said: “I am so honoured and happy to receive this. However, this award is the result of all the hard work of the REACHE team and members, and also all those in the NHS who helped to found REACHE and also all the volunteers who helped it to succeed. I see myself as accepting it on their behalf as recognition of all their efforts.”

Trish Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Mersey Care NHS FT, was awarded an MBE for services to the NHS.

Trish, who is also a Partner Member of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board,

has more than 40 years of knowledge and experience in all age community and mental health services and despite advancing during her career into more strategic roles, she has never lost her passion for nursing and patient care.

Trish said: “I’ve loved my whole career in the NHS, both as a Chief Executive and as a nurse, which remains close to my heart and I’m immensely proud to be recognised in this way.

“Caring for patients, is at the heart of everything I’ve ever done. I don’t see this as an individual award but one that recognises the strength of our whole community at Mersey Care. Working alongside people dedicated to caring for our patients and service users is an ongoing inspiration.”

Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chair of Manchester University NHS FT (MFT), has been honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the NHS.

A banker by profession, Kathy has held several Chair and Non-Executive Director roles in the NHS, including Chair of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT, prior to the merger with University Hospital of South Manchester NHS FT to form MFT in 2017.

Key moments of her career included leading the merger to create MFT as the largest trust in the country, supporting staff in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack, and helping form partnerships which have seen the trust consolidate its role as a leading organisation for research and innovation.

Kathy said: “It is a great privilege to serve our diverse communities in Manchester, Trafford and beyond. I have been blessed to work with incredible people throughout my time in the NHS, all committed to improving patient care.

“This honour is testament to everything we have achieved together over the years, including the work of our amazing volunteers.”

Simon Walsh, Procurement Director for Manchester University NHS FT and Joint Greater Manchester Procurement Lead, has been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the NHS and charity.

Simon has worked in NHS procurement services since 1987 and has led the procurement team of MFT and its predecessors since 2003. He is formerly Chair of the Health Care Supply Association, the representative charity for NHS procurement staff, and has contributed to procurement policy development at regional and national levels.

Simon said: “It has been immensely rewarding to lead the procurement team at MFT and, with the support of the trust, to develop a unique range of services to wards, theatres, and departments. I am both humbled and proud to receive this recognition.”

Finally, Dr Graeme Allan, Volunteer Medical Director at Southport Macmillan Centre and former Cancer Lead GP in Sefton, was also recognised with a BEM for his services to the community in Southport.

Graeme has worked in a health commissioning role for cancer services for more than 20 years. One of his most significant achievements has been establishing a local cancer navigator service, which ensures all newly diagnosed cancer patients in Southport and Formby have a universal offer of access to support including emotional, psychological and lifestyle optimisation through referral from their registered GP.

Graeme said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to be nominated by my colleagues for a British Empire Medal. I have been lucky enough to be part of an amazing team, working to improve the care and support available locally to people affected by cancer in Southport and Formby over the last 25 years. Co-founding the Southport Macmillan Centre has been one of the highpoints of my clinical career, and to now be mentioned in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for work I have loved being a part of, is, quite simply, the icing on the cake.”

Chief Executive of NHS England Sir James Mackey said: “As this year comes to a close, it’s important to take a moment to thank all our NHS staff who have been recognised for their dedication and tireless efforts to improve care for patients across the country.”