Sir Nick - THT Chief Knighted
posted: 05/01/2009
Nick Partridge, one of the UK's HIV sector leaders, who has strived to transform attitudes towards HIV and gay men and women in society has been knighted.
Nick Partridge, the chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, was recognised for his 20-year service to healthcare.
HIV leadership
Sir Nick said his knighthood in the New Year list was "great recognition of the pioneering work of Terrence Higgins Trust."
The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) was the first charity to be set up in response to the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. George House Trust is the second oldest surviving HIV charity.
THT's roots were in the gay community and, for many years, the HIV epidemic in the UK affected mainly gay men. As the shape of the epidemic changed, so did the THT, under the guidance of Sir Nick.
He joined the Trust in 1985 as the office manager, one of only two full-time paid posts, and became its head in 1991. He was tasked with overcoming public anti-gay prejudice and convincing politicians about the urgency of the HIV situation.
He has campaigned hard for research funding and progress and now, thanks to pioneering medical work and the discovery of antiretroviral therapy in the 1990s, the diagnosis of HIV is no longer a death sentence.
Influential
In 2004, Nick was appointed a Commissioner of the Healthcare Commission, the independent inspectorate responsible for reviewing the quality of healthcare in England.
In 2006, he was declared one of the 100 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain by the Independent.
He is also chair of INVOLVE, an advisory group promoting public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.
Sir Nick said: "I'm absolutely delighted. This is great recognition of the pioneering work of Terrence Higgins Trust, the importance of patient and public involvement in health research through INVOLVE and the impact of the health watchdog, the Healthcare Commission. I'm very privileged to work with three amazing organisations and to be honoured in this way."
Edwin J Bernard, editor of HIV Treatment Update, said: "It is remarkably significant that someone who has worked so hard in the HIV sector has finally been recognised.
"After 25 years of the Terrence Higgins Trust it is about time. Much of the media focus has been on the international Aids problem. I hope this shines the spotlight on HIV/Aids in the UK."
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