What is your role at New Victoria Hospital?

I am the Medical Director, a Hospital Trustee and member of the Hospital Board. As Medical Director I am responsible to the Chief Executive for advice and matters relating to medical practice at the Hospital but work closely with the Director of Clinical Services, the Integrated Governance and Risk Director and the Information Governance Team. As a Board member I am responsible to the Chairman of the Board to assist in the oversight of the Hospital in close collaboration with the other members of the board.

In general, a medical director has the specific role of safeguarding patients under the care of the hospital.

Currently, I am specifically responsible for overseeing our JAG application with the fantastic endoscopy team, assisting the GDSS Team in establishing a Fellowship and providing clinical advice to the Community Champions Initiative Fund.

I have roles in reviewing patient complaints, undertaking Consultant reviews with other members of the executive team, reporting to the MAC, chairing the Consultant Morbidity and Mortality meeting, updating Consultants on hospital developments, and sharing information with our Responsible Officer, Amira Girgis. I am a member of the Integrated Governance and Risk Committee and Chief Executive Governance Committee. I attend the monthly Medical Directors Meeting held by the Independent Healthcare Provider Network and provide information on national developments that may impact the Hospital. I am responsible for liaising with Medical Directors at other hospital regarding complaints.

Outside the Hospital, I act as an Expert Witness, advisor to industry on surgical energy, surgical skills trainer, and examiner. I also volunteer on a national safeguarding committee for the Church of England, scrutinising safeguarding policy and practice.  

Why did you Join New Victoria Hospital?

I joined New Victoria Hospital as a Consultant Surgeon in 1997, when the Chief Executive Charles Hutton took a punt on a new and enthusiastic consultant with a specific interest in developing general laparoscopic surgery. I had my principal private practice at NVH until retirement from surgical practice in December 2022.

At the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020, I volunteered to assist NVH with the NHS patients it was receiving and shared the role of Medical Director with another Consultant, until appointed to the definitive role in September 2020.

I have always felt grateful to Charles Hutton for the faith he placed in me as a junior consultant, and I wanted to return that favour in support of the Hospital, which I believe to be a unique and special standalone, charitable, private hospital in distinct contrast to the corporate private hospital chains.  

How long have you been with New Victoria Hospital?

I was given practicing privileges in 1997, became Medical Director in 2020, and a Board Member in 2021.

What is your favourite part of your job?

As a surgeon I loved working with patients, the wards, theatre, and out-patient teams to provide surgical care and helping to change lives. It was a privilege to assist the Hospital in developing its general surgical laparoscopic services.

As Medical Director I enjoy making a difference to the safeguarding of our patients to ensure they all have a safe and positive experience through their treatment.  

What makes you most proud of your job?

As the Medical Director I feel immensely proud to be part of a caring community of staff dedicated to excellence in clinical care at NVH.