Associate Medical Director - Patient Safety
I was appointed as an Associate Medical Director in1998. At that time my role was mainly supportive of the developing responsibilities attributed to the relatively new post of executive medical director. I assisted the MD on a number of committees and at appointment panels as well as undertaking clinical safety investigations and sitting on disciplinary panels as required.. In 2004 a new MD was appointed and I continued to support him but increasingly taking an interest in matters concerning policies, standards and quality of clinical practice. In 2009 the Trust was subject to harsh criticism following a regulatory visit from the CQC. The Board responded by appointing me to become a full time lead for clinical safety. As Clinical Lead for Patient Safety my first responsibility was to contribute/develop and produce the new safety and quality strategy which was completed in October 2010. An implementation plan was initiated and the infrastructure to support the team set out. A number of regulatory concerns relating to past events then diverted attention to more urgent matters which required immediate attention.I set up the Patient Safety Steering Group and the Hospital Mortality Group. Both committees were responsible for a number of related workgroup outputs designed to involve front-line clinicians in safety work. I developed the role of the Patient Safety Champions whom I recruited from interested members of the consultant body, eventually confirming the recognition of the role within job plans to include an element of remuneration. I was instrumental in a number of safety initiatives which were all in developmental stages when I retired.
