A North East man has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list for his work in the NHS.

Gary O’Hare, 60, from Burnopfield, has been awarded an MBE for his work at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

who has worked for the NHS for 43 years, was recognised for his services to mental health and disabilities while working as chief nurse and chief operating officer at the Trust.

He retired from the Trust in March 2023, and joined the North East Ambulance Service in May 2023 as a non-executive director.

He said he thought he had already hit the pinnacle of his career after receiving the Chief Nursing Officer for England Gold Medal award, but had been left pleasantly surprised by this latest honour.

Speaking to the Echo, he said he felt privileged to have his lifetime of work recognised with the award.

He said: “I got a letter in the post saying I’d been nominated by the organisation, it just felt amazing.

“Absolutely privileged to be nominated and then get one. Not everybody gets one.”

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Mr O’Hare, who originally worked on a building site before he fell into nursing, said the career move was the best decision he had ever made.

“Best decision I’ve ever made in my life, looking after people when they’re at their greatest need is probably the most rewarding careers anybody can work in, and I would recommend it to anybody.

“I never thought I would stay there, I thought I would just see it as some money coming in, but it’s absolutely a phenomenal and rewarding career. Best thing I ever did in my life.”