Clinical leaders appointed

April 2009

The clinical leaders for all of the Next Stage Review regional  clinical reference groups have now been appointed and taken up their roles.

Clinical engagement is a key theme in both Lord Darzi’s final report, High Quality Care for All and the East Midlands clinical vision, From Evidence to Excellence. In particular, High Quality Care for All requires:

* A strong clinical voice at every level, including stronger clinical engagement in commissioning that involves all clinician groups in strategic planning and service development;

* Clinicians to be empowered to set the direction for services, to make decisions on resources and to make decisions on people.

Our clinical leaders form a regional cabinet for the East Midlands, bringing together expert, medical advice to drive forward plans to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of local health services. This cabinet is chaired by Kathy McLean, the strategic health authority's medical director.

Each clinical lead oversees a regional work stream which draws on the expertise of a range of clinicians working across the patch. They are supported by a chief executive sponsor and a facilitator.

The work streams are putting the flesh on the bones of the pledges we made in From Evidence to Excellence and making the case for change to improve safety, effectiveness and patient experience.

In addition to the leads for the nine work streams, we have engaged the clinical leads from the cancer network, Drs Martin Lamb and William Goddard, to provide clinical advice on cancer.

Cancer nominally comes under the planned care work stream but it was felt this was such a key area that it needed additional, expert representation from the regional cancer network.

A clinical leaders development programme is being put in place by the SHA to support the cabinet to fulfil its responsibilities.