Double celebrations at Radcliffe Primary Care Centre

Date published: 20/01/2010

The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr. Warren J. Smith J.P., will visit Radcliffe on behalf of her Majesty The Queen to present Mrs. Hilda Harvey, NHS Bury’s Chair, with an MBE for services to the NHS and to the community in Greater Manchester.

For the past nine years Mrs. Harvey has been a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Appointment of Justices to the Bolton Bench, the last three of which she served as the Committee’s Chairman. She also has a long history of commitment to public services, particularly the health service, stretching over some 40 years. Hilda is the current Chair of NHS Bury (Bury Primary Care Trust) having first been appointed in the role in 2002, when the PCT was first established.

She had previously served on several other NHS Bodies, including Bury Family Health Services Authority, and as a Non Executive Director of the Bury and Rochdale Health Authority. Previously, Hilda was a member of the Bury Community Health Council where she gained an invaluable insight to the needs of local patients, which she has subsequently utilised in her roles as Non Executive Director and Chair.

Regarding the accolade, Mrs. Harvey said:

"I was both extremely surprised and honoured to be selected to receive this award. I have never been afraid to challenge or question when I have felt it necessary because I believe that it is part of my role as a Lay Person to do so.”

“I am an ordinary person who has been given the opportunity to work with an extraordinary group of dedicated professionals to improve the health and well being of our community.”

“This award is as much for all the Members of the NHS Bury team as it is for me. I have been privileged to have been able to undertake a role that I love, working with such a special group of people. Without their support I would not have been able to achieve any of this, and I thank them all for their dedication and commitment."

At the same event, the Lord-Lieutenant will officially open Radcliffe Primary Care Centre, which operationally opened its doors to patients during 2009.

Radcliffe Primary Care Centre brings together much needed health and wellbeing services under one roof, improving access and making services more convenient for local people.

Dr. Mike Burrows, Interim Chief Executive for NHS Bury said:

“We are delighted that the Lord-Lieutenant could officially open our new primary care centre in Radcliffe. Our centre is a much needed resource bringing together a range of services in the heart of the community for the benefit of local people. Having the Lord-Lieutenant come to open it is a real honour.”