NHS leader honoured with university fellowship

A senior NHS leader in the West Midlands says he is "overwhelmed" to be awarded an honorary fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton.

Hemant Patel, associate director of medicines and clinical policy at Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said he was "not completely sure how this all came about" but was incredibly grateful to be considered.

Mr Patel was also recently awarded a fellowship from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The university said its awards were presented to people who had made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.

Mr Patel said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have my work recognised in this way and to receive such a prestigious honour from the University of Wolverhampton.

"I’m not completely sure how this all came about, after all you don’t come to work and serve your local community to receive awards.

"However, it’s a wonderful feeling to know that others are looking at what you’ve done and achieved in the field of pharmacy and prescribing."

Mr Patel qualified as a pharmacist in 1999 and since then has worked for Boots, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Hospital Trust, Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust, NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, Walsall Primary Care Trust and NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group.

Mark Axcell, ICB chief executive, said Mr Patel played a vital role in improving patient care.

“He embodies commitment and dedication to the field of pharmacy and works tirelessly to help improve the safety of prescribing, supply and administration of medicines for our patients," he said.

“He is a fantastic leader and colleague and is a brilliant ambassador for pharmacists in the Black Country, so on behalf of the ICB I’d like to say a huge congratulations to Hemant.”