The UK’s New Year’s Honours list today recognised six people working to reduce the impact of alcohol harm, a former frontbench Labour MP, a family judge and four public health directors.
Jonathan Ashworth, a former shadow health secretary, receives a CBE in part for advocating on behalf of the children of people with alcohol problems for the Children of Alcoholics charity. He made a poignant speech in parliament about his own experiences in 2017.
Judge Patrick Perusko receives a CBE for services to the administration of justice for his work pioneering Family Drug and Alcohol Courts in Bedford and Bedfordshire. He talked about the courts, and his background, in Oct 2021.
The honours list also recognises the work of several directors of public health. Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) and director of public health at Sheffield council, received an OBE.
MBEs went to three more public health directors: Dr Tim Allison, recently retired from NHS Highland; Dr Catherine Mbema at Lewisham council; and Professor Alice Wiseman in Gateshead, who is also vice-president of ADPH.
Professor Wiseman’s presentation on combatting alcohol industry influence at the local level at AR2025 in March is available on the event page under the heading “Full live plenary sessions”. ■