Highlanders recognised in King's Birthday Honours List
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The contributions of two Ross-shire men in championing health care services have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List.
Dingwall GP Dr Miles Mack, who held a top post in Scotland during the coronavirus pandemic, has been awarded the OBE for services to general practice.
Fortrose man David Stallard, who has been involved as a volunteer in the charity, Befrienders Highland, since it was founded, has been awarded a BEM for services to mental health in the Highlands.
Dr Mack (57) said: "I am absolutely humbled to have got this.
"I have been so lucky in my career. I have worked for 30-plus years at the Dingwall Health Centre – a fantastic working environment with great colleagues.
"It is a fantastic community to be working in with some amazing patients who have given me so much.
"It has given me opportunities to do all sorts of interesting work.
"I have been involved in GP education, mental health work and helping out in service development in rural communities.
In December 2019, he became chairman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland (Scottish Academy) – the first GP to hold the post.
His three-year term of office coincided with the coronavirus pandemic when he was in radio contact with the Scottish Government and Chief Medical Officer.
"It was extremely challenging," he said.
"At times, it was quite scary because we were getting updates in advance of what was being released to the medics."
But he also recalled it as an interesting time to be a GP as they were uniquely placed to assess people's viral illnesses.
"One of the highest points of my career was the day we started to roll out the covid vaccines to over 80-year-olds," he said.
Dr Mack also chaired the Scottish council of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) from 2014 - 2017.
He and his wife, Erica, have two sons and daughter.
David Stallard (73), who was also recognised in the Birthday Honours List, recently retired as convenor of Befrienders Highland after 30 years at the helm of the charity which helps to reduce loneliness and isolation by matching people with a trained volunteer.
Hundreds of people have had their lives changed through the simple act of friendship.
Mr Stallard was thrilled to be awarded the BEM.
"I was delighted a charity I helped to set up – Befrienders Highland – put me forward for it," he said.
"It really felt good that they thought I deserved it."
He first became involved as a mental health social work manager in the Highlands, recognising the significant challenges people with long-term mental ill health faced when they were discharged from hospital care.
He became a volunteer social work advisor with Inverness Action for Mental Health and when the group gained charitable status and became Befrienders Highland, he was invited to join the board.
He recalled that when it first started, it was run by two people sharing a 30-hour post.
The charity now supports about 150 people living with mental ill health, caring responsibility or memory loss across the Highlands.
Under his direction, Befrienders Highland now offers face-to-face, letter, email and telephone befriending, reaching out to people in the most remote areas, at a time that best suits their needs.
Mr Stallard felt attitudes toward mental health had changed over the years.
"I think there is still some stigma about mental illness – it has not gone away completely," he said
"But people are more open about it."
Mr Stallard is also a past Highland Third Sector Initiative (HTSI) Board Trustee of the Year
He and his wife, Rosemary, have a son and a daughter and two grandchildren.
