The Rt Hon. Patricia Hewitt has been awarded a damehood in the New Year Honours List, recognising her significant contribution to health and care services.

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, which has had a significant impact on the health of our nation and continues to do so. 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 per cent drop in the number of smokers aged 35 and over dying from heart attacks and other cardiac conditions, as well as many, many other health benefits.

In her current role, Dame Patricia has continued to make a difference locally and nationally. Her collaborative approach and leadership style has enabled local health and care services to tackle some long-standing challenges. Last year’s Hewitt Review into Integrated Care Systems set-out the case for prevention and steps that the country could take to keep people healthy and well.

Commenting on the New Year’s Honours List, Dame Patricia Hewitt 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.”

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.”