“It was extremely difficult to secure PPE in a fractured market, but I feel so passionate about helping people and that is why I joined the NHS.

“It was a huge amount of effort to make it all happen and I managed to secure the contract for the four nations and I am so grateful for the people that have recognised my efforts.”

Claire said she was shocked and delighted to receive the award and thanked all the NHS staff who have done so much during the pandemic.

“I am delighted to receive this award and wish to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues within Cardiff and Vale Health Board and NWSSP (NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership) who have supported me and my team in delivering a successful Covid response for NHS Wales.”

Over 30 people from Wales have been recognised for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, including incident director of coronavirus at Public Health Wales (PHW), Dr Robin Howe, nurse Gail Margaret Lusardi and Dr Eleri Davies, all of whom are to receive an MBE.

They have all been recognised for their work in delivering PHW’s response to the virus, working on testing, clinical response and infection control.

Dr Howe said he was surprised and really proud to have been awarded. He is one of four incident directors for PHW and is the lead medical microbiologist. Before the pandemic began, it was Dr Howe’s job to ensure testing systems across Wales NHS run effectively and smoothly.

He said: “Microbiologists, like all pathology, are the backroom team that supports an awful lot of what goes on in the NHS.”

And that is exactly what Dr Howe has been doing for the last several months with a focus on coronavirus testing.

He moved to Cardiff in 2005 to lead Wales’ antibiotic resistance programme and has worked with PHW ever since.

“It has been incredibly busy, working long hours with clinicians and the whole of the NHS. I am very proud,” he said

Nurse consultant Gail Lusardi, from Blackmill, said she accepts the honour as a recognition of the work done by the entire team that she works with.

She said: “I was surprised and shocked that my contribution during pandemic has been recognised in this way.

“The team I work with has been amazing. After the months of long hours and dealing with difficult situations this award really is a reflection of the contribution that infection prevention and control specialists have made.

“So I accept this not only with pride for myself but in recognition of the tireless efforts all infection prevention and control teams in Wales and the wider nursing profession. Special thanks to my husband who has supported me throughout this challenging time.”

Dr Eleri Davies, head of healthcare associated infection, antimicrobial resistance and prescribing programme at PHW, said: “I was very surprised and humbled to receive the news.

“It has been such a difficult time for so many and I have just been doing my job supporting the response in Wales as part of the Public Health Wales and wider NHS service in Wales.

“The team here in Public Health Wales has been working tirelessly, and I wish to dedicate this honour to them and to my family, who have supported me throughout. This is our job and it’s what we train for, but being recognised in this way feels very special – diolch.”

Dr Catherine Moore, consultant clinical scientist at PHW, said: “I am surprised and happy to receive an MBE but like everyone else in this pandemic, I have just been doing my job as I’ve always done throughout my career.

“I’m dedicating my MBE to my family who haven’t seen me properly since January and everyone who I work with across Public Health Wales, especially in the Specialist Virology Centre in Cardiff. Their ongoing positivity and resilience throughout what has been an often difficult time for the laboratory team continues to inspire me.”

The people honoured for their work in healthcare and the community during the Covid-19 outbreak

MBE

Dr Eleri Mair Jones Davies. Consult Medical Microbiologist and director, Infection Prevention and Control, Public Health Wales. For services to Healthcare in Wales particularly during Covid-19

David James Adams Hughes, JP. For services to the NHS and the Bereaved during Covid-19.

Gail Margaret Lusardi. For services to Health and Social Care in Wales particularly during Covid-19.

Dr Catherine Tracey Moore. Consultant Clinical Scientist, Public Health Wales. For services to Public Health during Covid-19.

Neil James Pearce. Head of Estates, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. For services to the Covid-19.

James Barry Rees. For services to the community in Ceredigion during Covid-19.

Claire Lesley Salisbury. For services to the NHS in Wales during Covid-19.

Margaret Sutherland. Chief Officer, South Denbighshire Community Partnership. For services to the community of Corwen during Covid-19.

Michael Watson. Driver, United Parcel Service. For services to the community in Cardiff during Covid-19.

Dr Robin Anthony Ridley-Howe. Lead Medical Microbiologist, Public Health Wales. For services to Public Health in Wales particularly during Covid-19

BEM

Philip Raymond Baker. County Councillor, Saundersfoot. For Public Service during Covid-19.

Dr Mahaboob Basha. External Relations and Engagement manager, Energy Safety Research Institute, Swansea University. For services to the community in Sketty, Swansea during Covid-19.

Alice Bretland. Physiotherapist and Team Lead, Home Ventilation Team. For services to the NHS particularly during Covid-19.

Paul Christopher Alan Buckingham. For services to the NHS in Wales during Covid-19.

John Challenger. For services to Young People in the North West during Covid-19.

Rita Chohan. For services to the NHS during Covid-19.

Adam Clode. Caretake, Gladstone Primary School. For services to the community in Barry during Covid-19.

Jade Michelle Cole. For services to the NHS and Critical Care Research during Covid-19.

Julie Cook. Community Colleague, Asda Ltd. For services to the community during Covid-19.

Deborah Crow. For services to the community in South Glamorgan during Covid-19.

Hilary Margaret Dover. Service director, Primary and Community Services, Swansea Bay Region. For services to the NHS during Covid-19.

Paula Jane Gallent. Ward Sister, Cardiff and Vale University Health board. For services to the NHS during Covid-19.

Jack William Gibbins. Tactical Lead, St John Ambulance (Cymru). For services to the community during Covid-19.

Liam Robert Andrew Hewitt. Tenancy Support Worker, Pembrokeshire Care Society. For services to the community during Covid-19.

Mathew David Hill. For services to the St John Ambulance (Cymru) during the Covid-19.

Gemma Patricia McDonald. Nurse and Volunteer, Newport Sea Cadets. For services to the NHS and to the community in Newport during Covid-19.

Lyndsay Jayne McNicholl. For services to Health and Social Care during Covid-19.

Sharon Louise Miller. For services to the Care Sector during the Covid-19 response.

Louise Peart. Social Worker, Adult Services Intake and Assessment Team, Vale of Glamorgan Council. For services to Vulnerable People during Covid-19.

Toni Ann Salmon. Food Delivery Driver and Commanding Officer, Forest of Dean Sea Cadets. For services to the community in the Forest of Dean during Covid-19.

Julie Simonson. Community Branch director, Santander UK. For services to the Financial Services sector and the community of Neath during Covid-19.

Nigel Wheeler. Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services Lead, Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council. For services to Waste Collection and Recycling during Covid-19.

Elizabeth Williams. Coordinator, Canolfan Pentre. For services to the community of Pentre during the Covid-19 response.

Nigel Williams. For services to Local Government in Swansea during Covid-19.

QAM

Ian Price, Emergency Medical Technician.