NHS TAYSIDE chairman Peter Bates has been awarded the OBE for services to social work and the National Health Service.

Mr Bates has a blood cancer for which there is no cure and is undergoing treatment aimed at prolonging his life. He continues to fulfil his duties at NHS Tayside, a post he accepted five years ago.

He was previously director of social work for Tayside Regional Council and moved to Dundee City Council when the regional authority disappeared under local government reorganisation. After seeing through the transition, Mr Bates took early retirement in 1997. He undertook a number of short-term posts in local government across Scotland, before turning his attention to NHS Tayside.

Born and bred in Handsworth, Birmingham, Mr Bates left school at 15 with no academic qualifications. He served an apprenticeship as a jeweller and silversmith. Youth work gave him an interest in social work as a career and he attended Birmingham University as a mature student before moving to Scotland to begin his career.

Last year he was appointed to the expert group chaired by Professor David Kerr that produced a blueprint for the delivery of health services across Scotland for the next 20 years.

Mr Bates is married to Ann and has four children and four grandchildren.