Fifer ‘did a little dance’ after finding out about OBE

Dr Lesley Holdsworth, one of 11 Fifers named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, received an OBE for services to physiotherapy and health services.

Dr Holdsworth, from Newport-on-Tay, did a “little dance” when she found out about the OBE.

Lesley, the Scottish Government’s clinical lead for digital health and care, took over as the chairwoman at Bield, which provides housing and services for older people, at the start of the year.

“When I heard about this award, it was in the darkest days in May, the height of the pandemic, and I did a little dance,” Lesley said. “It was such a bright thing at such a dark time.

“I feel that my experience in the health sector has direct relevance to the work of Bield and am thoroughly enjoying contributing to the work of this most important organisation.

“I see great synergy between health, care and housing in terms of the interdependency all have on health and well being – and I feel passionately about each of those sectors.”

Lesley has worked for the NHS since 1979 – originally training as a physiotherapist, and has held a number of senior national roles contributing to and developing health and social care policy since 1995.

Most recent roles have included head of health services research for Scotland and director at NHS 24.

Lesley has been a member of the board of management of Bield since 2015 and acted as vice-chairwoman for three years before being appointed chairwoman.