A group of new National Clinical Directors have been announced by NHS England, to focus on five specific healthcare areas of concern.
A new National Speciality Advisor for Long Covid has been appointed, Dr Graham Burns, a consultant physician from Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr Burns will work with Dr Melissa Heightman, respiratory physician and clinical lead for the Post COVID clinic at University College London Hospital.
NHS Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis, said: “The fact that the NHS was able to respond so well to the greatest public health emergency in its history is in large part because of our ability to draw on an unrivalled wealth of clinical experience, expertise and enterprise – right the way from ward to board levels.
“All of my new colleagues bring a wealth of experience and a strong track record of leading improvements in care and treatment for patients at a national level, and I know they are all eager to continue this in their new roles.”
Professor Julian Redhead has been appointed National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, and will be working to improve 999, 111 and other emergency care services, and is currently the medical director for the North West London Integrated Care Partnership.
Joint National Clinical Directors have been appointed for elective care to combat the current backlog facing the NHS as a result of the pandemic.
Ian Eardley is a Consultant Urological Surgeon in Leeds and will work with Stella Vig, consultant in vascular and general surgery and Director of Elective Recovery at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to improve elective health care services.
