We were delighted to hear that our friend and colleague, Ian Peate, has recently been awarded an OBE in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours. I have known and admired Ian for a long time, having first met when we worked together at the University of Hertfordshire, where Ian was then Associate Head of School.
Ian has since developed his academic role, currently working as Professor of Nursing at the School of Health Studies, Gibraltar and also Professor of Nursing to the St George's University of London and Kingston University London. His publishing roles include editor in chief of the British Journal of Nursing, a member of the editorial board of the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants. In addition, he is one of the founding consultant editors for the Journal of Paramedic Practice and a nurse consultant at Mark Allen Healthcare Ltd.
Ian's clinical practice and academic interests began with the emergence of HIV/AIDS and the ignorance and fear associated with this new emerging disease, both from the public and student nurse's inexperience of understanding this new condition. This further piqued Ian's interest in men's health and the inequality in care. His research and subsequent publication has resulted in Ian's being a leading expert in the field of men's health and sexual health.
Ian has not only worked as an academic and educator for many years, but he has published a range of excellent textbooks as well. My first collaboration with Ian was my contribution to the Nursing Care and the Activities of Living textbook, but this is just one of a range of books that Ian has authored or edited.
The citation from the Department of Health outlining the basis of his award was as follows:
‘Your leadership in men's health and your prolific and effective writing are exemplary. The creation of the “Fundamentals of…” series is particularly commendable, especially because of its international reach having been translated into so many languages. You also have a remarkable talent for expressing complex issues simply and sensitively without losing the depth of meaning.’
Our work together on the Journal of Paramedic Practice began while we were both working at the University of Hertfordshire, when we both strongly felt the need to establish an academic, peer-reviewed journal for paramedics and other pre-hospital practitioners. At the time there was no academic journal, and as paramedics were developing as professionals in their own right, Ian and I felt that it was time to take action.
Guided by Ian, we met with the Mark Allen publishing group, who immediately shared our vision for what was to become the Journal of Paramedic Practice. Although initially there was a great deal of work that needed to be undertaken, having Ian on board with his extensive publishing background was extremely useful. His clarity of vision and ability to work with our wonderfully diverse editorial board was a pleasure to observe.
Ian is a leader in nursing today—not just in the UK but also internationally. Having written and published over 500 articles, texts and papers, any other individual might be excused for having an ego as large as their extensive publication list. But not Ian Peate. He is one of the most modest individuals I have met.
When I emailed Ian to congratulate him, his first response was: ‘How are you?’ Not ‘Isn't it wonderful I have an OBE?’ But ‘How are you?’. He stated that the OBE was ‘Overwhelming and a massive surprise;’ perhaps only to Ian. I cannot think of any other individual who worked as hard or has done more to develop the education and academic base for not just nurses, but paramedics and healthcare assistants.
Well done Ian, enjoy your OBE. It is very much deserved.