Robert Francis has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Mr Francis, who led the inquiry into care failures at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust and was recently appointed a board member of the Care Quality Commission, was knighted in recognition of his services to healthcare and patients.

Michael Deegan, chief executive of Central Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust, and David Fish, managing director of UCLPartners - part of the academic health science network - were also knighted for their services to the NHS.

Other senior NHS figures honoured include Amanda Doyle and Steve Kell, co-chairs of the NHS Clinical Commissioners leadership group. Both were made OBEs for their services to primary care.

Dr Doyle said she was “thrilled at receiving an OBE”, which she described as “a surprise and a delight”.

“I work with a great team in Blackpool as well as across the NHS, and we are all committed to making sure our patients receive high quality care,” she said.

Dr Kell said: “I am honoured to receive this award. I’m passionate about the NHS, clinical commissioning, primary care and improving services, and I look forward to continuing to work with others to ensure we deliver for patients.”

Sam Barrell, chief clinical officer of South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group, which has been widely praised for its pioneering integrated care arrangements, was awarded an CBE for her services to clinical commissioning and integrated healthcare.

NHS Clinical Commissioners director Julie Wood said: “To have three of our senior clinical leaders awarded honours this year makes me very proud, and shows what high calibre people NHSCC has driving it forward for our members.”

Steven Michael, chief executive of South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust, was honoured for his services to healthcare and Jill Maben, director of the national nursing research unit at King’s College London, was made an OBE for her services to nursing.

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