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Leading light in region’s covid-19 vaccine programme honoured by Loughborough University

One of the leading lights in the covid-19 vaccine programme for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is to be awarded an honorary degree by Loughborough University.

Caroline Trevithick, the Executive Director of Nursing Quality and Performance and Deputy Chief Executive for the three LLR Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Science at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies.

The award recognises her exceptional contribution to the covid-19 vaccine programme for LLR, where, as the senior responsible officer, she established and continues to coordinate one of the most complex logistical health programmes ever undertaken in the region.

Caroline began her career in Nottingham training at the Nottingham School of Nursing over 30 years ago. She worked in general medicine and infectious diseases before specialising in infection control.

This specialist experience in community health, primary care, mental health, acute hospitals and at regional and national level meant that she developed an excellent grounding in clinical governance and she used this knowledge to move into commissioning in 2009.

Caroline previously worked as Chief Nurse and Interim Chief Executive for West Leicestershire CCG before commencing her current post with the LLR CCGs in 2020.

Professor Robert Allison, Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University, said: “We are delighted to be able to recognise Caroline’s incredible work in establishing and leading a vaccination programme that has given protection and hope to over half a million people. She is truly deserving of this honorary degree.”

Caroline added: “When I first heard about the award I was overwhelmed as I never expected any kind of recognition. I am delighted to have been honoured by Loughborough University for this work as I know that it reflects, not only my leadership of this programme, but the work of every member of the vaccination team.

“The whole health system has really come together to deliver the vaccination programme. We’ve demonstrated how, by using feedback from our communities and health inequalities data, we can adapt our services quickly to meet the specific needs of our population at a community and neighbourhood level. When I’ve visited vaccination sites, I’ve seen real teamwork in action, with volunteers, clinicians, managers and administration staff working together as one big team.

“This has been one of the most challenging and satisfying roles I have ever undertaken. The scale of the challenge has been immense and I’m so proud to have led the team of people who have devised and implemented our local vaccination programme.”

Andy Williams, Chief Executive of the three LLR CCGs, said: “I am delighted that Caroline has been recognised for her leadership and commitment to ensuring a highly successful vaccination programme in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. This is the biggest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and has saved thousands of lives. Caroline has done a tremendous job!”

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: PR 21/110

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in the Guardian University League Table 2021, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2021.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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