OBE for end-of-life care expert

One of the world’s most prominent leaders in end-of-life care and experiences has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Professor Allan Kellehear has been appointed Officer, Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to palliative care.

As Professor of End-of-Life Care in Northumbria University’s Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Allan’s work focuses on enhancing palliative care practices for the dying, their caregivers and the bereaved through a community approach.

Allan has published 25 books and written more than 120 articles on death, dying and end of life care and is a former President of both the Association for the Study of Death and Society and Public Health Palliative Care International.

While living and working in Australia, he established the Palliative Care Unit at Melbourne’s La Trobe University – the first non-clinical, public health practice-based palliative care unit in the world.

He is the founder of the Compassionate Community movement which recognises that end-of-life care is not only the responsibility of those working in the health services.

The movement encourages families, individuals, neighbours, workplaces and volunteers to come together to comfort and support those who are living with long-term health conditions, dying, caregiving and grieving.

Compassionate Communities is now incorporated into our own national palliative care policies as well as many countries around the world.  

Speaking on his award, Allan said: “I accept this award as positive recognition of the value and importance of the public health, or health promotion, approach to palliative care.

“The role of my palliative care colleagues in the UK and around the world in enlisting civic institutions into the work of supporting people at the end of life where-ever they are – in schools, workplaces, faith groups, neighbourhoods or cultural organisations – is recognized by this award. I'm thrilled to bits.”

Dr Joanne Atkinson, Head of the Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing and a fellow expert in end-of-life care said: “I am so very proud to have Allan as a Professor in End-of-Life Care in the Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing. He is a world leader and his achievements in the field of palliative and end-of-life care are groundbreaking.

“His research, practice and policy work, leadership and collaborations have made a difference to so many people, those who are reaching the end of their life, their carers, the bereaved and not forgetting professionals working in this field.”

Professor Kellehear will formally receive his OBE from a member of the Royal Family at a forthcoming Investiture ceremony.