He will be awarded an MBE for his services to general practice and the wider NHS.
John has worked as a GP in Cumbria for the past 30 years and already has a range of accolades including being a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and of the Faculty of Public Health through distinction.
John said:
“I am delighted to have been awarded an MBE and I feel it is a privilege to work for the NHS. The staff I work with are exceptional. I have always held a deep sense of social justice and my work has allowed me to help and support people when they need it most. I am most proud of the work that I have done with local communities, particularly in Cockermouth, Maryport and Millom. I feel passionately that by working with and listening to communities we will get the best services for those who live there.”
Earlier in his career John worked across the world delivering vital healthcare in 13 war zones. He was medical director of an international medical relief charity.
Closer to home he led the health response following the major floods in Cockermouth in 2009 and was instrumental in ensuring the new community hospital was secured for the town.
He is formerly a medical advisor for Hospice at Home and was recently a runner up out of 1000 nominations in the NHS National Leadership Awards.
John is also the Professor of Primary Care at the new UCLAN medical school campus based in Whitehaven.
Professor Stephen Eames CBE; lead for North Cumbria Health and Care System said:
“We are very pleased that John has been recognised in this way, it is very well deserved. His dedication to the NHS and to all his patients over the years really has been incredible. We are blessed to have someone who really does stand up for those less fortunate and who cares so passionately about ensuring that everyone has fair access to the services they need. On behalf of the trust I would like to sincerely say well done to John.”
John will receive his honour in 2020.