A NEW annual award has been created in honour of one of the region’s leading lights in health services.

NHS Improvement launched the Sir Peter Carr Award in recognition of more than 25 years of service to the NHS which included chairing the former NHS Trust Development Authority and the North East Strategic Health Authority.

The award will recognise not only effective but compassionate and inclusive leadership and as such will be made to a clinician and manager partnership in foundation and NHS trusts.

The winners will get to invest around £30,000 in their personal development in order to support an objective within their organisation, access to mentoring through NHS Improvement .and be expected to share their learning with the wider NHS.

Applications open in the new year.

Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS Improvement, said: “Throughout his career, Sir Peter Carr supported and fostered innovation in the NHS. His pioneering work made the NHS a better service for millions of patients who rely on it and tens of thousands of staff who work for it. Even though Sir Peter has now retired, we want to ensure this work continues.

“The launch of the Sir Peter Carr Award recognises the enormous contribution that he made to the NHS by helping the leaders of tomorrow make their difference.”