Dr Neil Walden awarded MBE for services to healthcare in Cornwall

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board is proud to announce that Dr Neil Walden, former local GP and Non-Executive Board member of the Board, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours List in recognition of his outstanding contribution to healthcare in Cornwall.

Dr Walden has dedicated his career to improving health services for local people. He has championed the integration of health and care and development of neighbourhood health, which brings services closer to home and is one of the key priorities of the NHS 10 year plan.

When told about the MBE, Dr Walden said:

“It has been a privilege to work alongside so many passionate and committed colleagues and community partners to improve health and care for people in Cornwall.

“I am deeply humbled and proud to receive this honour in recognition of the work of many dedicated colleagues towards integrated health and care in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

Dr Walden worked as a GP and partner at Marazion Surgery until his retirement from practice in 2019. Since then, he has continued to play a pivotal role in shaping integrated care across the region, working to develop neighbourhood health; which brings integrated neighbourhood teams together to keep people well and deliver personalised care, closer to home.

On May 19th, after receiving his award, he added:

It was an honour to receive my MBE from Prince William, Duke of Cornwall.

I’ve reflected a lot since hearing of the award for work on Integrated Health and Care on the number of people who have worked together over the last 10-15 years to place Cornwall at the forefront of Neighbourhood Development; bringing Care Closer to Home .
This involves creating an environment of trusted relationships, thriving Community Hubs ,and holding a belief that prevention and proactive care is a better way forward for people in Cornwall.

Primary Care and the Voluntary Sector have been key in driving this  approach, alongside of late our two Provider Trusts.

I’d particularly like to thank some key people I’ve worked with over many years; Rae Hall, Juliet Ferris, Emma Rowse, Dan Rainbow, Matthew Boulter, Jim Tait and Stewart Smith.

The future looks brighter Neighbourhood health wise for both Cornwall and Devon. I hope the care given to its creation can be carried forward in the right way for people’s benefit.

Joining the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB Board on 1 July 2022 and the joint committee for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon ICBs in October 2025, Dr Walden has been a passionate advocate for partnership working – bringing together NHS organisations, providers, patients, and the voluntary sector to co-design services that truly reflect what matters most to people. His leadership had also been instrumental in developing integrated community health and care services in West Penwith.

Chair of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB and NHS Devon ICB, John Govett added:

“Neil’s commitment to listening to local people and working collaboratively has made a real difference to health and care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This honour is a fitting tribute to his dedication and leadership over many years and reflects the impact he continues to have in shaping services that support us to shift health care from hospitals to communities and in driving neighbourhood system working over many years.”

Throughout his career, Dr Walden has held several key roles, including Locality Lead GP and Clinical Director of Penwith Primary Care Network, Chair then member of the Penwith Integrated Care Forum, and joint Clinical lead in the West Integrated Care Area. His deep understanding of the complexities of partnership arrangements and primary care networks ensures that plans remain patient-centred and informed by clinical evidence.