Jackie Shears, Programme Director at NHS Digital, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for services to patient care.

Jackie has worked in a variety of clinical system and services posts, both at NHS Digital and across the NHS for 30 years, and most notably played a key role in the NHS Pathways team. She is currently on secondment to the Our Future Health Research Programme, which brings together the NHS, industry and third sector to build the UK’s largest ever health research programme.

On receiving the accolade, Jackie said: “I am still amazed to have received this honour. I am accepting it on behalf of every single person in the NHS Pathways team, past and present, as the award mostly relates to the vital role that the system has played in the COVID-19 response.

“This is an acknowledgement and recognition of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in NHS Pathways, including the in-house NHS clinicians and specialists. I knew the system was fit for purpose, but seeing it succeed in the way we intended in the pandemic has been truly extraordinary.”

ENDS

Jackie Shears