A number of health workers from Northern Ireland have been honoured by Queen Elizabeth following a year in which they have led the fight against the Covid pandemic.
The 2022 new year honours list includes Jimmy Chapman (85), a porter at Lisburn Health Centre, who receives a British Empire Medal (BEM); John Johnston, deputy secretary of the Healthcare Policy Group at the Department for Health, who is made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire); and Wendy Anderson, a respiratory consultant, who is made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
Ms Anderson, who works in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, said a lot of pressure during the pandemic fell on respiratory teams.
She said: “I work with a fantastic team of respiratory colleagues . . . when this was coming, we all worked on our protocols and stepped up our weekends and everybody had everybody’s back.”
Mr Chapman was so surprised when he received his notification of the BEM that he originally thought the letter was a court summons.
He said: “I was really, really pleased that somebody thought that much of me to put me up for this award. I was delighted, over the moon. It is the first award I have ever got. It has all been a secret up to now, but it does mean a lot to me and it will mean a lot to my family.”
Richard Pengelly, permanent secretary at the Department of Health, said he was thrilled to be made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, an honour that he regards as recognition of the work of so many people in the health service
“This has been the most challenging role I have ever held, constantly pressurised, constantly difficult, but the high moments are so high in terms of some of the achievements, when we actually roll out a new service or make some inroads, because of the impact it has on people’s lives,” he said.
This year’s honours list also sees recognition for victims campaigner Kenny Donaldson, who is made an MBE, which he has dedicated to all innocent victims of terrorism.
Sean McCarry, regional commander for the Community Rescue Service in Northern Ireland, is made an OBE.
Ian Marshall, the first unionist politician elected to the Irish Seanad, has been honoured with an OBE. He said: “I had no idea I had even been nominated, it came completely out of the blue. I was completely blindsided by this.”
Northern Ireland artist, illustrator and writer Oliver Jeffers, who now lives in New York, has been made an MBE, while six-time Paralympic gold medallist sprinter Jason Smyth also becomes an MBE. – PA