Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to announce that Kate Dale has been recognised in the New Year Honours List 2025 with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her outstanding services to people with severe mental illness.

Kate, a Mental Health Nurse with the Trust, has been a driving force behind improving the physical health outcomes of individuals with severe mental health conditions. This recognition highlights her remarkable dedication to reducing premature mortality rates among this vulnerable population, who are at risk of dying up to 25 years earlier than the general population due to untreated physical health issues.

With an incredible 45 years of continuous service to the NHS, Kate’s career has been marked by unwavering commitment and a pioneering spirit. Her work, both locally and nationally, has brought about significant improvements in the delivery of integrated physical and mental health care. As a national leader in the Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative’s Special Interest Group on Integrated Physical and Mental Health Care, she has influenced policy makers and raised awareness of the need for a holistic approach to patient care.

A key achievement of Kate’s career has been the development of the Mental Health Physical Review Template, an innovative tool that systematically guides GPs and practice-based staff in conducting comprehensive annual physical health checks for people with serious mental health conditions. This template has been successfully implemented across 80 GP practices, hospital wards, and five physical health and wellbeing clinics in Bradford and Airedale, allowing healthcare staff to provide more effective, timely, and tailored care.

The multi-award award winning template has been showcased by NHS England as an example of good practice and has been rolled out regionally through the support of the Academic Health Science Network and Kate continued to roll out the initiative nationally.

In addition to her pioneering work, Kate regularly represents the Trust as a keynote speaker at conferences across the UK, advocating for parity of esteem between physical and mental health. Her efforts have been instrumental in improving physical health checks and raising awareness of their critical importance within mental health services.

Reflecting on her honour, Kate said: “There is no health without mental health and physical health; we need to look at patients holistically and not segregate the two. By improving the physical health of people with serious mental health conditions, we can reduce the number of premature deaths across the UK. This recognition is not just for me, but for the entire team at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, whose hard work, determination, and passion have made this possible.”

As a recipient of the British Empire Medal, Kate will be formally presented with her medal by the Lord-Lieutenant at a local ceremony and will be invited to attend a Royal Garden Party in recognition of her achievements.

Phil Hubbard, Care Trust Director of Nursing, Professions and Care Standards and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The Trust is incredibly proud of Kate and congratulates her on this well-deserved honour. Her work continues to inspire and bring about meaningful change in the lives of those living with severe mental illness.”