Sefton Council’s Interim Director of Public Health has received an Outstanding Achievement Award for his role in supporting the Borough’s LGBTQ+ community through suicide prevention and tackling health inequality. 

 

Dr Rory McGill was hailed by judges at the annual LGBTQ+ FLOWERS awards in Liverpool for his continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across Sefton and the Liverpool City Region. 

 

Judges remarked that Dr McGill’s ‘tireless advocacy, support and meaningful contributions’ have left a lasting impact on the region’s LGBTQ+ communities. 

 

Receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award is a significant achievement that recognises and celebrates an individual’s exceptional accomplishments in both their personal life and professional career.  

 

Dr McGill said: “I am completely overwhelmed and very humbled to have been given this award.  

 

“I am an openly gay man working in Public Health, where it is clear that unfortunately the LGBTQ+ community experiences a disproportionate burden of harm and worse health 

outcomes than their heterosexual peers.  

 

“This is due to historic and current oppression, discrimination and unfortunately the increased hostility faced by the trans community.  

 

“I will continue to be a visible leader for the LGBTQ+ community in the region and hopefully will live up to the expectations of those who believed in me to honour me in such a way.”   

 

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Rory has not only been a champion for inclusion but he also actively works to uplift and empower others through tireless advocacy and contributions that leave a lasting impact.

 

“Through his work, Rory is helping build a more compassionate and equal society for all. 

 

“We are immensely proud to have leaders like Rory championing equality and inspiring positive change across the borough.”

 

Rory’s lived experience related to his public health role started in Derry where he was a young carer in one of the most socioeconomically deprived housing estates in the country.

 

He has a PhD in human Psychology and is the first non-clinician to be Associate Postgraduate Dean in the history of the NHS, with portfolio responsibility of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for those training in medicine across the North West.