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National clinical directors
Professor Sir George Alberti, National Director for Emergency Access and Clinical Director for Service Reconfiguration
Professor Sir George Alberti is responsible for giving advice to NHS organisations on emergency care and service design with the main emphasis on clinical quality and safety and clear patient pathways.
Professor Louis Appleby CBE, National Director for Mental Health
Louis Appleby is National Director for Mental Health in England and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manchester. He has played a central role in plans to reform mental health services as part of the Government’s NHS Plan, bringing in a range of new services including home treatment, early intervention and assertive outreach teams, and mental health legislation.
Professor Dame Carol M Black, National Director for Health and Work
Dame Carol is the first National Director for Health and Work, is Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Chair of the Nuffield Trust.
Professor Roger Boyle CBE, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke
Professor Roger Boyle was appointed as National Director for Heart Disease in March 2000 and has led the implementation of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease.
David Colin-Thome OBE, National Clinical Director for Primary Care
David was a GP from 1971 at Castlefields Health Centre Runcorn, retiring March 2007. His practice has been leading-edge nationally over the last 10 years or so, pioneering systematic management of long-term conditions employing managed care techniques.
Professor Lindsey Davies, National Director of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
Professor Davies is the Department of Health for England’s National Director of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.
Professor Bob Fryer CBE, National Director for Widening Participation in Learning
Professor Bob Fryer CBE is the National Director for Widening Participation in Learning at the Department of Health.
Dr Rowan Hillson MBE, National Director for Diabetes
Dr Hillson is a consultant physician and diabetologist at The Hillingdon Hospital, London, where she and colleagues have established a very successful local diabetes service.
Dr Donal J O'Donoghue, National Clinical Director for Kidney Services
Donal was appointed National Clinical Director for Kidney Care in January 2007 and has led the development of the Renal NSF since 2003 as Chair of the External Reference Group.
Professor Mike Richards CBE, National Clinical Director for Cancer
Professor Richards was appointed as the first National Cancer Director in October 1999.
Mr Chris Rudge, National Clinical Director for Transplant
Chris Rudge's work as National Clinical Director will begin shortly once transitional arrangements at UK Transplant are in place.
Surinder Sharma, National Director for Equality and Human Rights
Surinder Sharma took up his post as National Director for Equality and Human Rights at the Department of Health in October 2004.
Dr Sheila Shribman, National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity Services
Dr Sheila Shribman was appointed National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity in December 2005.
Nicola Smith, Co-National Director for Learning Disabilities
Nicola Smith is Co-National Director for Learning Disabilities, a position she shares with the National Director for Valuing People, Rob Greig.
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The role of national clinical directors
National clinical directors and advisors - sometimes referred to as Tsars - are experts that each oversee the implementation of a national service framework (NSF) or major clinical or service strategy.
National Clinical Directors: meetings
National Clinical Directors meet monthly along with other clinical colleagues from around the Department, to provide updates on progress of clinical workstreams and policy development, and broad clinical advice for the Department as a whole.
National Service Frameworks
National service frameworks (NSFs) are long term strategies for improving specific areas of care. They set measurable goals and standards within set time frames.
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