Covid heroes lead the way
THE Queen’s Birthday Honours list has made special recognition this year to health professionals and members of the community for their services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The list was postponed from June in order to honour recipients who are making an outstanding contribution to their community and the healthcare service during the coronavirus pandemic.
Healthcare professionals, scientists, delivery drivers and supermarket workers are among those recognised for their efforts during the pandemic.
In Swansea, Dr Mahaboob Basha was honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Sketty during Covid-19.
Also honoured with the BEM for their efforts during the pandemic were Paul Christopher Alan Buckingham for services to the NHS in Wales; Jack William Gibbins for services to the community; Lyndsay Jayne Mcnicholl for services to health and social care; Julie Simonson for services to the financial services sector and the community of Neath and Nigel Williams. for services to local government in Swansea.
In Swansea Bay five healthcare workers were also honoured.
Their work during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – often in an unfamiliar role – featured in the citation for their honours, reflecting how Swansea Bay University Health Board rose to the challenge. David Hughes, who is the clinical lead for of Podiatry, Orthotic, MCAS and Persistent Pain Services, received the MBE for services to the NHS and the bereaved during Covid-19.
In response to the pandemic, he courageously stepped fully outside of his role as podiatrist to innovate and revolutionise care after death across to the resident population of 400,000.
He devoted himself to selfless service to those struck by Covid-19 and the most vulnerable across our communities, within and outside of his contracted hours, ensuring equitable 24/7 support is available to all.
He said: “I am extremely proud to receive this huge honour and the unforgettable teamwork which it represents.
“Each and every member of the team placed their trust in me and left the comfort and safety of their professional roles to serve our communities, despite the physical and emotional risks to themselves and their loved ones.”
Jean Saunders, who was also appointed an MBE, is a leading nurse who is recognised for her work in the development and delivery of healthcare services to asylum seekers and refugees.
Her passion and enthusiasm has raised the profile and plight of individuals and families with regard to the challenges they face accessing services during the asylum application process.
Rita Chohan has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her efforts as part of Morriston Hospital’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her usual role is deskbased, but when Covid-19 hit she volunteered herself on the hospital frontline, picking up essentials for patients, being a friendly face and facilitated over 1,500 contacts between patients and their families.
Rita said: “I am shocked and humbled. There were doctors and nurses in the midst of so much pressure on a daily basis, dealing with sick patients, I just wanted to help them as much as I could.
“I am so proud of our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) team and the staff who joined our Pals team to help the families and the patients on the wards at such a difficult time. This medal is for all of us.”
Ann Baker receives her BEM for her work as the first, and to date only, specialist nurse for secondary breast cancer in Wales, thus making a measurable impact on the lives of patients with secondary breast cancer within her health board.
She said: “I am absolutely over the moon and feel humbled to have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in this way for my services to secondary breast cancer in South West Wales. I have been a nurse in NHS 40 years, my vocation.
“I accept this award on behalf of all my patients past and present they have all informed my practice to help me be the best nurse I strive to be.
“I have been extremely fortunate to have had the support of my husband Clive, and daughters Marie and Chloe to pursue my vocation.”
Hilary Dover completes the trio of BEMS for being a committed and passionate NHS leader with over 40 years’ experience who has been unrelenting in her performance and delivery during the Covid19 pandemic.
Achievements included the establishment of Primary Care Cluster Covid Hubs to ensure safe, direct access to primary care for suspected Covid patients and the set up and delivery of Community Testing Units, both drive-thru and home visit teams, to ensure patients received timely swab testing to facilitate fast and accurate patient treatment plans.
She said: “It’s very nice to be honoured in this way, but it’s important to state that it comes as a direct result of the work undertaken by a fantastic team of people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The honour is on behalf of all those who I work alongside and I would like to thank them for all that they have done.”
Also honoured was Joy Smith, a long-serving Neath Port Talbot Council manager who was appointed an MBE for services to road safety.
Swansea-born Joy said: “I was delighted and I must say quite surprised to learn I was to be awarded the MBE but I would not have received it without the help and support I’ve had from the council over many years.
“Safety and casualty reduction on Neath Port Talbot’s roads has improved significantly over the past few decades and that is due to the seriousness with which the council views road safety.”