Professor Sir Liam Donaldson has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA).
The announcement follows an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission.
Sir Liam is currently Chief Medical Officer for England, a post he has held for 12 years, in which he advises the Secretary of State for Health, the Prime Minister and other government ministers on all health-related issues.
Commenting on his appointment to the NPSA, Sir Liam said: “Improving the safety of care is a priority for health services worldwide. The NHS was one of the first to establish a programme of patient safety. I look forward to helping to make further progress. Quality and safety of healthcare has been a passion of mine for over 25 years.”
The current NPSA Chairman, Lord Naren Patel, who announced his intention to step down from the position last year, said he is delighted with the appointment.
He said: “I am thrilled Sir Liam has been appointed as the new Chairman of the NPSA. He is a highly credible and influential individual with a track record that speaks for itself. He passionately believes in the importance of patient safety.
“Sir Liam has been a tireless promoter of safer patient care and the effect this has had in reducing harm and death amongst patients is significant.”
Sir Liam’s report in 2000, An Organisation with a Memory, highlighted the importance of patient safety, which led to the establishment of the NPSA and the World Health Organization World Alliance for Patient Safety.
Source: NHS
published: March 4, 2010 in: Healthcare, News, People, Products