Dr Richard Grocott-Mason has been appointed medical director of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust with immediate effect. Dr Grocott-Mason was appointed acting medical director in December 2015.
Commenting, Bob Bell, chief executive, said:
In a strong field of international candidates, Richard’s strategic insight and clinical vision for the Trust greatly impressed the interviewing panel.
During his tenure as interim medical director, he has proved to be a uniting force at our two-site Trust – the first Harefield consultant in the role and the first cardiologist. I know he will continue to build on this foundation in coming months and years. He also brings valuable experience as a former medical director of a neighbouring district general hospital, and has an in-depth understanding of the importance of clinical networks and relationships.
I have seen first-hand Richard’s leadership skills; in the complex and challenging environment that is specialist medicine, he gains the respect of his colleagues by listening and understanding before making judgement. He is an asset to the board of directors, to our staff and most of all, to the many thousands of patients who rely on our clinical services every year. I am truly delighted to be announcing this appointment.
Dr Grocott-Mason commented:
My links with Harefield go back many years, but it took no time at all to recognise the unique commitment and energy that resonates around the hospital. Since taking on the role of interim medical director and working cross-site, I have found the same motivation and drive at Royal Brompton; two hospitals, 20 miles apart, but with a shared culture and determination to put patients first.
I take up this post at an exciting but challenging time in the Trust’s history. Much needed re-development is on the agenda at both our sites, but the wider NHS context of financial pressure cannot be ignored. The need for clinical and management teams to collaborate effectively has, in my view, never been more pronounced.
The Trust has an impressive history of clinical engagement and I plan to promote even greater participation from my colleagues at every level and in every forum. The combination of a strong and unified clinical workforce and an expert management team supporting and advising them, will ensure our patients continue to benefit from the very best that the NHS has to offer.
Dr Richard Grocott-Mason has worked at Harefield Hospital regularly since 1999 and was appointed divisional director of the heart division in October 2014. He has also held roles at the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, including clinical director for medicine, and joint medical director/responsible officer.
His experience as a consultant cardiologist spans 17 years. He completed his initial training at Jesus College, Oxford and St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, London, qualifying in 1986. He then trained in cardiology and general medicine at several hospitals, including King’s College Hospital, The London Chest Hospital, Guy’s Hospital, Harefield Hospital and the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.
Dr Grocott-Mason’s adult cardiology practice includes assessment of coronary artery disease, valve disease and heart failure. He is a founding member of the primary angioplasty team at Harefield Hospital’s Heart Attack Centre.