A Lanarkshire professor has been recognised in the Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Birthday Honours for her expert work on infection prevention and control - including serving on coronavirus advisory groups throughout the pandemic.
Professor Jacqui Reilly has been appointed CBE for services to healthcare and public health – honouring her work at Glasgow Caledonian University and as NHS national services Scotland’s director of nursing and executive lead for allied healthcare professions, healthcare associated infection and quality.
The Cumbernauld resident has served on the Scottish Government’s chief medical officer Covid-19 advisory group since the start of the pandemic.
She said: “I am surprised and honoured to be awarded a CBE; I accept this on behalf of the many talented and committed colleagues I have worked with in the specialty of infection prevention and control and the wider clinical community.
“I have been inspired and supported by so many colleagues throughout my clinical and academic career.
“The pandemic has highlighted to all the importance of infection prevention and control measures in reducing the risk of infection transmission, and I look forward to continuing to work in support of the national and international efforts to improve the evidence base for clinical practice and improving outcomes in healthcare settings.”
Professor Reilly splits her time between her NHS and university roles, with the former seeing her serve on Scottish Government advisory groups on care homes and public health threats as well as chairing the Covid-19 nosocomial review group and leading the high-risk aerosol generating procedures panel at the invitation of the four UK chief medical officers.
Her post at Glasgow Caledonian’s research centre for health involves leading a team of researchers in its Safeguarding Health through Infection Prevention (SHIP) research group; and she has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to national and international work including World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
She was previously Health Protection Scotland’s lead consultant for healthcare-acquired infection, antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control for more than a decade, has chaired a European Centre for Disease Control committee and is a WHO technical advisory group member.
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