Chair of Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board Patricia Hewitt feels ‘deeply humbled’ to receive Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire from King Charles III
The chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board says she is feeling “deeply humbled” to have received a Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire award from the King.
Former Labour MP and cabinet member Dame Patricia Hewitt, who lives in Hunstanton, has received the prestigious award from the monarch after being mentioned on his New Year Honours list.
Patricia is chair of NHS Norfolk and Waveney and is deputy chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Partnership. She also served as a Secretary of State for Health from 2005 to 2007.
She has been given the Dame title for her services in healthcare transformation.
Throughout her career, Dame Patricia has demonstrated an “absolute commitment” to improving people’s health, wellbeing and care.
From her time as Secretary of State for Health through to her current role as Chair of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, she has brought about “real and meaningful change that has improved the health of the population”.
As Secretary of State, alongside many other achievements, Dame Patricia introduced the smoking ban.
It was her personal drive, commitment to the issue and focus on making practical changes that meant the ban she introduced went beyond what was first committed to.
Ten years after the ban was introduced, analysis by Public Health England showed there had been a 21% drop in the number of smokers aged 35 and over dying from heart attacks and other cardiac conditions, as well as many other health benefits.
In her current role, Dame Patricia has continued to make a difference locally and nationally.
Last year, Hewitt’s review into Integrated Care Systems set out the case for prevention and steps that the country could take to keep people healthy.
Dame Patricia said: “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this award. Working to improve health and wellbeing, first as Health Secretary and now in the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System, has been the greatest privilege of my life.
“I want to pay tribute to the thousands of outstanding individuals and organisations I’ve had the chance to work with - brilliant NHS and social care staff, community activists and volunteers, patients, carers and service users, inspiring clinical and professional leaders as well as entrepreneurs and innovators across the public, private, community and social enterprise sectors. This award truly belongs to them all.
“And to my extraordinary colleagues in Norfolk and Waveney, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your dedication and collaboration continue to inspire me every day.”
In 1997, Dame Patricia became the first female MP for Leicester West, a safe Labour seat in the East Midlands, which she represented for thirteen years.
In 2001 she joined Tony Blair's cabinet, the first of the 1997 intake of MPs to do so, as president of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, before becoming health secretary in 2005. During her tenure, the ban on smoking in public places became legally enforceable.
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: “Dame Patricia has a unique breadth of experience and depth of knowledge, coupled with a deep sense of public service, that is respected by colleagues across the country. Her views are regularly sought by Government ministers, MPs, NHS England and colleagues from different parts of the country.
“Dame Patricia has made a real difference to the nation’s health, with the smoking ban alone that she introduced having saved many lives. The findings of her recent review of Integrated Care Systems will continue to inform national policy and local action in the years to come. She thoroughly deserves this recognition for everything she has done to improve people’s health, wellbeing and care.”
