Local surgeon wins award from The Health Foundation

10 December 2003

Dermot O'Riordan, Consultant Surgeon for West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust, has been identified by independent charity The Health Foundation as a rising star within the NHS, becoming one of its first leadership fellows. The Health Foundation¹s innovative leadership award is designed to nurture future leaders in healthcare, individuals who will improve and transform local health services and make a real difference to the quality of services for patients.

At a meeting at the Department of Health last week the fellows met Sir Nigel Crisp, Chief Executive of the NHS. Sir Nigel Crisp said: "The success of the UK's health service lies in the development of effective, confident and inspiring leaders - people who will drive through change and make the most lasting improvements in healthcare. By investing in the young managers and clinicians of today, The Health Foundation is securing future leaders for the health service."

Dermot has been consultant surgeon in the Trust for two years and is clinical director for general surgery and urological services. He is also lead clinician for upper gastrointestinal cancer.  Dermot has a strong interest in working with surgical trainees, and is a past president of the Association of Surgeons in Training.  He is currently the youngest member elected to the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons, and believes that there is an essential need for clinicians to take an active role in leading the provision of healthcare.

Said Dermot: "I hope that The Health Foundation Leadership Fellows award will allow me to be a much more effective leader both in my current role as clinical director and consultant surgeon and in any future roles that I might undertake. I hope that any skills I learn will prove to be invaluable to both my patients and my Trust."

John Parkes, Chief Executive of West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust, said: "I want to congratulate Dermot on his appointment as one of the first leadership fellows of The Health Foundation. It is vital that we have clinical leaders of the highest quality in place to help provide the best in 21st Century healthcare.

I am sure Dermot will benefit from the Foundation¹s mentoring, and will in turn use the skills he develops to further improve the service we provide to our patients."

As one of the 16 fellows, Dermot will receive a programme of intensive personal development, helping him to improve the quality of patient care in his local area. This will include up to 22 one to one coaching sessions, group learning sessions and leadership master classes where cutting edge thinkers will share their ideas and debate with the group. The Health Foundation will be evaluating the impact of the scheme on the personal development of the fellows over the next four years.

Notes:

The Health Foundation

The Health Foundation aims to improve health and the quality of healthcare for the people of the United Kingdom.

Through its programmes, activities and investments, The Health Foundation seeks out and supports leaders in health; promotes innovation in the delivery of health services; enhances the capacity for new knowledge through research; and disseminates evidence for changing health policy and practice.

The Health Foundation distributes more than £15 million annually through its programmes. Funding priorities include:

• Supporting the development of leadership in all its forms amongst healthcare professionals.

• Capacity building in the institutions concerned with the education, training, development and lifelong learning of healthcare professionals.

• Improving quality and performance in healthcare delivery; encouraging the uptake and spread of best practice.

The Health Foundation also supports health improvement in the developing world.