Director of Public Health recognised with community award

Local charity One Voice Blackburn has announced our Director of Public Health as the recipient of its annual achievement award.

Prof Dominic Harrison will receive the John Robertson Outstanding Achievement Award at the annual 1V Awards in early October.

Judges at the Blackburn-based charity praised Dominic for his outstanding contribution to the town’s Covid-19 response, including the uptake of vaccinations in the most recent phase. Professor Harrison was also lauded for his continuing work on reducing health inequalities in the borough.

The 1V Awards are a celebration of people across the borough who have excelled as volunteers or in their particular field of work. They will be presented on the evening of the One Voice Annual Dinner in King George’s Hall on Saturday 9 October.

On hearing the news about his award, Prof Harrison said:

There is no doubt that without the collective efforts of everyone from all of our local communities, we would have seen more deaths from Covid during the pandemic.

I am very proud and honoured to have been the local Director of Public Health during this time, and I very grateful to everyone at One Voice for this wonderful award.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Dominic has led the local public health response for Blackburn with Darwen, and represented the borough at meetings with the Chief Medical Officers and government ministers.

One Voice Chairman Abrar Hussain said:

The trustees and Chief Executive were unanimous in agreeing that Professor Harrison’s work during Covid-19 for the borough attributed to the saving of lives. His clear path during the pandemic was vital in lowering Covid-19 infection rates, and his advice and guidance has ensured that the uptake of vaccinations is going strong.

One Voice Blackburn’s Annual Dinner, now in its ninth year, celebrates the charity’s work, as well as the contributions of volunteers and community workers in Blackburn with Darwen.

Four other 1V Awards will be presented on the evening from a shortlist – to find out who’s nominated, watch the awards nominations video.