University’s postgraduate medical dean backed as a future leader in the NHS

A University of Aberdeen clinical academic has been selected to take part in the Health Foundation’s much coveted and competitive Leadership Fellows award.

Postgraduate Medical Dean, Professor Gillian Needham, is one of only 16 applicants selected to take part in the scheme and all are regarded by The Health Foundation as having the potential to become future leaders in the NHS and make an outstanding contribution to improving the quality of healthcare in the UK.    

Professor Needham, through the Leadership Fellows award scheme, will benefit from two years of high quality leadership development delivered via a mixture of one-to-one coaching sessions, group seminars and workshops.  The award scheme also provides the opportunity for all participants to receive tailor-made training and personalised support.

Professor Needham said: "I hope that the Leadership Fellows' programme will allow me to develop my skills so that I can lead more effectively in increasingly complex settings.  I want to gain a contemporary grounding in quality improvement science and practice in order to be most effective in leading change in healthcare education and training towards healthcare improvements and improved patient outcomes."

Jan Walmsley, Assistant Director for Leadership at The Health Foundation said: "We invest in developing the leadership skills of individuals with demonstrable potential to direct quality improvement in healthcare.  Gillian proved herself to be a highly motivated, talented professional dedicated to improving patient services.  I am certain that through our Leadership Fellows award we have identified 16 healthcare professionals with the ability to become effective, inspirational leaders within the NHS."

For more information about The Health Foundation Leadership Fellows award scheme and award winners visit the Foundation's website at: www.health.org.uk