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Four people from the Newry area achieved recognition in last week's King's Birthday Honours List. Dr Patricia McCaffrey who works with the Southern Trust was awarded an MBE, Joe Campbell, NI Audit Office was awarded an MBE; Former Council man Paddy Duffy got an MBE and Karen Turner, Education Authority received an OBE.
Dr Patricia McCaffrey, Divisional Medical Director for Older People Services has worked at the Trust for 35 years and was awarded an MBE for services to Older People in Northern Ireland.
She has played a crucial role in developing, supporting and promoting high-quality health and social care services across the entire Trust, particularly though the development and expansion of the Acute Care at Home service – a service that can treat patients over the age of 65 with a wide range of acute illnesses in residential, nursing or patients own homes.
Thrilled to receive this honour, Dr McCaffrey said “I was delighted, surprised and humbled when I received word of the MBE. This may be an individual honour but none of these service improvement projects would have been completed without the input of our amazing supportive team who are dedicated to promoting a better quality of life for our older population. I am very fortunate to have worked with highly skilled and dedicated colleagues over a long career.”
Dr Maria O’Kane, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, said “I am absolutely delighted that Dr McCaffrey has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Dr McCaffrey is widely admired and respected and has made a huge contribution to the care and treatment of many patients over many years. We congratulate Pat on receiving this well-deserved honour.”
Joe Campbell was awarded an MBE in recognition of his 35-year career with the NI Audit Office. Joining the Office as a trainee accountant in 1989, Joe later played a pivotal role in forging relationships between the NIAO and the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the early days of devolution, he was seconded to the Assembly as Deputy Clerk to the first Public Accounts Committee, becoming a primary point of contact for MLAs seeking advice on accountability matters. This work continued during Joe’s many years working as the NIAO’s Assembly Liaison Officer, earning the trust and respect of officials and politicians alike.
Congratulating Joe Campbell on his achievement, Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville said “Joe epitomises public service. Throughout his decades of dedicated work in public audit and supporting the NI Assembly’s oversight and scrutiny functions, he has demonstrated the utmost diligence, professionalism and diplomacy. At the same time, everyone who has worked with Joe will have recognised his friendly nature, his approachability, and his steadfast willingness to help others. This made him a deeply respected colleague. Such individuals and their contributions, which often take place quietly in the background, can often go unnoticed. That’s why we are so thrilled to see Joe recognised in this most public and prestigious of ways. Our warmest wishes and congratulations go out to Joe and his family on this richly deserved honour.”
Newry woman Karen Turner was awarded an OBE for services to Education, to Minority Ethnic Support Services in Northern Ireland and to Speech and Drama.
