29/12/2023
Chair of the Western Trust Dr Tom Frawley has extended his warmest congratulations to Chief Executive Neil Guckian on his much deserved recognition in the King’s New Year Honours List 2024.
Mr Guckian, receives the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to Health and Social Care and to the community in Northern Ireland
Neil joined the health and social care sector having qualified as a chartered accountant in 1991. Working in the Western area from 1991 – 1995, Neil was appointed Director of Finance in the Northern Trust area including a period as Deputy Chief Executive of the former Causeway Trust. In the years that followed he was appointed Director of Finance in the South Eastern Trust becoming Chief Executive of that Trust in 2019.
Mr Guckian joined the Western Trust in 2019 as Director of Finance, leading the organisation through a successful financial recovery plan. In 2020 he chaired the Trust’s response to the Covid pandemic (Trust Silver) and was then appointed Chief Executive in July 2021.
Since his appointment to the Western Trust he has filled a number of important roles including Chairman of C-TRIC (Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre) for two years until 2022, he remains a Board member. CTRIC constitutes a research organisation that is operated by the Trust, Ulster University and Derry City and Strabane District Council, its focus is on “personalised medicine” which is at the leading edge of medical research.
In addition to fulfilling his role as Chief Executive, Neil is current Director General of CAWT (Co-operation and Working Together), a body established by the Ballyconnell Agreement in 1992. It is a cross border HSC partnership body established by health bodies, two from Northern Ireland and two from the Republic of Ireland to seek support from the European Union to address the health inequalities associated with being located at the periphery of national jurisdictions.
He is also on the Programme Board for Derry City Deal and has been leading a range of regional initiatives in health and social care including a major initiative to reduce the Service’s current dependency on expensive agency staff.
Commenting on his award, Mr Guckian said:
“This honour is a recognition of the commitment of so many people who I have worked with across a number of roles over many years.”
Neil in reflecting across his career singled out the Western Trust Covid response as the biggest challenge he faced in his career to date. He also acknowledged the major challenge of rebuilding the Service post pandemic. He also highlighted in particular the contribution of Finance, ICT and Estates teams who rarely get recognition within HSCNI.
“Health and Social Care Services require many different teams and everyone plays a vital role.” He said “recognition of Health and Social Care staff is particularly relevant at this time of year, when so many people are working through the holiday period to support some of the most vulnerable in our community.”
Neil also congratulated Dr Manav Bhavsar from Critical Care and Bronagh Hegarty, Pharmacy, on their national honours.
“It is great to see local people being recognised for their commitment and for their commitment to the Western Trust over many years.”
Western Trust Chair, Dr Tom Frawley, has congratulated Neil on his Award. Commenting that the Western Trust is very fortunate to have Neil Guckian as its Chief Executive at what is a hugely challenging time for Health and Social Care.
“I believe Neil and his team demonstrate every day a commitment to the public we are here to serve that is not limited to an 8 hour day or a 5 day week, Neil’s Award however is not about Neil’s current role, it’s about a career long commitment to public service.”