IHPN’s chief executive, David Hare received his MBE at Windsor Castle from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne yesterday (3 October). 

David was honoured in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list, being awarded an MBE for services to healthcare, particularly during Covid-19. 

He found the day providing an opportunity as a moment for reflection: “Even just a few years ago, I couldn’t possibly have predicted something like this. Not only in terms of receiving an MBE, but I wouldn’t have even understood what you meant by “Covid-19”, obviously that’s something that nearly everyone in the world will be familiar with now.” 

 “I found myself reflecting on a lot of things actually, like the achievements of the tens of thousands of staff across the independent healthcare sector who stepped up when the country faced the gravest public health crisis for generations.”

“I thought about the lives saved during that time and the treatments that went ahead under the unprecedented arrangements negotiated in a matter of days in March 2020 between the NHS and the independent sector.” 

“I also thought a lot about our team – the contribution that IHPN made – as they worked round the clock under extreme pressure to ensure that the full weight of the UK independent healthcare sector could be brought to the country’s pandemic response.” 

“I understand that private healthcare will always have its critics, but what was achieved during the pandemic has changed the way that the sector is seen. Working hand-in-glove with the NHS, people started to see a single UK healthcare system, working as one for their needs.”

“Artificial divides and ideological debates were put aside to focus instead on what matters to patients, which is getting access to the best possible healthcare, in the timeliest possible fashion. I hope these are lessons which can be maintained as we try and build the best possible healthcare system.” 

David was presented in the Grand Reception Room at Windsor Castle, and that too had some poignancy, he said: “It was wonderful to meet the Princess Royal and standing in the Grand Reception Room I did feel a bit hopeful. This was a room that was severely damaged in the Castle’s fire in 1992.  
 
“With teamwork and dedication it’s been rebuilt to look as good as it has ever done. Maybe out of that we can draw inspiration for how we collectively rebuild our nation’s healthcare system.”  

IHPN chair, Seema Kennedy OBE said: “I’m delighted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to David for his well-deserved recognition, being awarded an MBE for his outstanding services to healthcare, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“This was an extremely difficult period for everyone working in the healthcare sector, through which the IHPN team, led by David, worked tirelessly.” 

“During that time, but also for the past decade, David’s dedication and leadership have been truly inspirational, and on behalf of IHPN and our members, I wanted to express our appreciation for his unwavering commitment.”  

“This honour is a testament to his exceptional contributions, and we applaud him for his tireless efforts in advancing healthcare, his focus on driving up standards of quality and safety particularly, and to championing the cause of patients.”