Michaela Buck honoured with UHUK Lifetime Achievement Award
Michaela Buck honoured with UHUK Lifetime Achievement Award
Michaela Buck, Chief Executive of Mastercall Healthcare has been recognised for more than 30 years of outstanding leadership and contribution to urgent and community care, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Urgent Health UK (UHUK) Annual Conference in Daventry on 14 October.
The award recognises Michaela's significant contribution to transforming urgent care services, developing the clinical workforce and building partnerships that have improved care for patients and communities across Greater Manchester.
Through her leadership of Mastercall Healthcare, Michaela has helped transform a traditional out-of-hours service into an organisation delivering a broad range of urgent and community-based services.
Her commitment to bringing care closer to home has supported the development of innovative services, including community intravenous treatment, enhanced care-home support and frailty pathways, helping patients receive timely treatment in familiar surroundings and avoid unnecessary hospital attendance.
One of Michaela's most significant contributions has been her early recognition of the potential of advanced clinical practitioners.
She has championed the development of nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals as autonomous senior clinicians, supporting their progression through education, supervision and mentorship. Her commitment has helped create new opportunities for clinical leadership and strengthened the urgent care workforce.
Michaela's influence extends beyond Mastercall. She was instrumental in bringing five former competitors together to establish the Greater Manchester Urgent Primary Care Alliance, demonstrating the benefits of collaboration in improving services across organisational boundaries.
Her leadership has also reflected a commitment to the wider circumstances affecting people's health and wellbeing. Since 2022, Mastercall has invested approximately £172,000 in additional social value activity, supporting initiatives including The Wellspring and Cracking Good Food's meal-delivery service for vulnerable patients following hospital discharge.
Alongside these achievements, the award recognised Michaela's personal commitment to colleagues and the communities she serves.
Her citation highlighted stories shared by colleagues, from spending Boxing Day answering phones and supporting staff during a flu epidemic to remembering birthdays and special occasions across a workforce of around 400 people.
Those who have worked alongside Michaela describe a leader who combines ambition and determination with compassion, kindness and a genuine commitment to helping others fulfil their potential.
As Mastercall celebrates its 30th anniversary, the award recognises not only the services and partnerships Michaela has helped establish, but also the lasting influence she has had on generations of healthcare professionals.
UHUK congratulates Michaela on this richly deserved recognition and thanks her for her exceptional contribution to urgent and community care.