A GP who was among the first to identify Covid-19’s disproportionate impact on people from ethnic minority backgrounds has been named in the 2022 New Year Honours list.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti, a part time GP at Hockley Farm Medical Practice, Leicester, was awarded a CBE for his services to health.
Prof Khunti – who is also a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester – led a body of research throughout the pandemic to improve the health of people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
He is also a member of Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and chair of its ethnic sub-panel.
He said: ‘I am truly humbled, and I would like to dedicate the award to my team at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, the University of Leicester, my staff at the Hockley Farm Medical Practice and most of all to my family. It is indeed a huge honour to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.’
Prof Khunti is one of several honoured this year for their services to general practice. Others include:
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
- Professor Helen Jayne Stokes-Lampard – Chair, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Chair, National Academy of Social Prescribing. For services to general practice. (Tamworth, Staffordshire)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Professor Anthony John Avery – Professor of Primary Health Care, University of Nottingham. For services to general practice. (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire)
- Dr Grainne Doran – general practitioner, Northern Ireland and lately chair, Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland Council. For services to general practice. (Bangor, County Down)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Professor Simon David Gregory DL – deputy medical director, Primary and Integrated Care, Health Education England and general practitioner, King Edward Road Surgery, Northampton. For services to general practice. (Northampton, Northamptonshire)
- Dr Adaeze Ifezulike – general practitioner. For services to health inequalities in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Scotland. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen)
- Dr Amar Nath Rughani – general practitioner and provost, Royal College of General Practitioners, South Yorkshire and North Trent. For services to general practice. (Sheffield, South Yorkshire)
- Dr Iram Sattar – general practitioner and trustee, Muslim Women’s Network UK and The Passage. For services to the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people. (London, Greater London)
Professor Jonathan Richard Benger, chief medical officer for NHS Digital, was also awarded a CBE for services to the NHS.
Meanwhile, Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) received the title of DBE.
Jonathan Turner, UKHSA’s head of scientific and technical services was awarded an MBE with Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director of public health at Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, receiving a CBE.
Both Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer and his deputy Jonathan Van-Tam received knighthoods, alongside Dr Frank Atherton Dr Gregor Smith the CMOs for Wales and Scotland respectively.
