A STALWART of the health world has been rewarded for her dedication with an honour from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust chairman Professor Eileen Fairhurst MBE has received an Honorary Doctorate to acknowledge the significant contribution she has made to the development of the university's School of Medicine.

It also recognises her academic achievements in the field of health and wellbeing.

The trust chairman has spent more than 40 years working in the NHS and her research has been published in more than 70 peer reviewed papers and abstracts.

Professor Fairhurst said: “It’s a great honour and privilege to receive this special award. It’s not just for me but also for all my colleagues at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust as they are the people on the frontline who train and impart knowledge to UCLan students.

“I already have personal connections with UCLan as family have attended here, and I have examined research students as well. Also, between 2006 and 2009 I worked closely with UCLan as part of the Urban Regeneration: Making a Difference Programme.”