Two GPs have received MBEs in the Queen’s New Year honours list for their work in palliative care and GP training.
Dr Gerry Millar, who runs a practice in Moy, County Tyrone, together with his GP wife, received an MBE for services to healthcare in Northern Ireland.
Dr Millar was the first Macmillan facilitator in cancer and palliative care in Northern Ireland and he leads on early cancer diagnosis initiatives through Southern Trust Cancer Services.
He is currently working on projects to help cancer patients and carers with depression as well as a project to boost early detection of mouth cancer.
Commenting on the honour, he said: ‘The goal of our palliative care efforts is to improve the quality of life, by increasing comfort, promoting dignity and providing a support system to the person who is ill and those close to them.
‘I am always deeply impressed by the quiet courage, of all the cancer patients I have met over the years. I feel a great responsibility not to let them and their families face this trial alone.’
‘[Receiving the MBE] is a great honour and I am very pleased.’
Meanwhile, Dr David Wood, a GP in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, has received an MBE for services to education and training in general practice and to the community in North Wales. He istreasurer, council representative, education lead and iMAP lead for the RCGP North Wales faculty.
