The head of the MBS Review Taskforce — who today received one of the nation’s top honours in recognition for his work — has admitted he was shocked by the scale of the job for which he signed up.

Professor Bruce Robinson is one of just five Australians granted a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Australia Day honours.

The former Sydney University medical dean was recognised for “eminent service” to medical research and the nation’s healthcare through his reforms.

Back in 2015, the endocrinologist was the doctor who proposed a review of all 5700 Medicare items to then-minister for health Sussan Ley.