Dr Jerry Hill, Chief Medical Adviser for the British Horseracing Authority has been awarded an MBE for his services to British Horseracing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr Jerry Hill has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to British Horseracing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Hill has worked methodically to help develop safe and robust protocols over the last 16 months to aid the resumption of the £4.1 billion industry. He has worked with colleagues across racing, fellow medical advisers and professionals to help the sport navigate the challenges of COVID-19.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has recognised his expertise and he was invited to join a group of fellow Sports Chief Medical Advisers and Public Health England to agree guidance for the resumption of elite sports in the UK. Dr Hill took the lead in drafting the Stage Three – Return to Domestic Competition guidance, which was agreed by public health authorities and led to the allowance of all elite sport in the UK from 1 June 2020.
Since Autumn 2020 Dr Hill has also been awarded an Honorary Consultant Contract with Public Health England to help support the Deputy Chief Medical Officer who oversees the sports’ portfolio.
Annamarie Phelps, Chair of the BHA, said: “This award recognises Dr Hill’s remarkable achievements on behalf of the racing industry. Jerry’s priority throughout the COVID crisis has always been to put the health of racing’s participants, racegoers and the general population first. This has similarly been the case throughout his six years as BHA Chief Medical Adviser, during which the sport has made significant progress in the field of participant health and wellbeing.”
Dr Jerry Hill said: “I am genuinely humbled by this award. British racing’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been a truly collaborative one, and the industry has shown what it can achieve when it pulls together. I believe that this award reflects the hard work and commitment of many people across the sport.”