Former primary and community care Tsar joins Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity board

13 September 2011

Guy's and St Thomas' Charity welcomes Professor David Colin-Thomé, OBE, as a new Trustee from 1 November 2011.

Professor David Colin-Thomé, OBEProfessor Colin-Thomé brings with him extensive experience of primary care as a GP for more than 30 years, as well as significant knowledge of national policy as the Department of Health's (DH's) National Clinical Director for Primary Care from 2001-10. He also chaired the Long Term Conditions Board and co-chaired and led the Primary and Community Care Strategy (PCSS) for the NHS next Stage (Lord Darzi's) Review, published in 2008. He subsequently chaired the PCSS Clinical Advisory Group and co-chaired the Transforming Community Health Services board.

Since retiring from general practice in 2007 and the DH in 2010 he has taken on a number of consultancy roles and Trusteeships including becoming an honorary member of the National Clinical Advisory team - for service reconfiguration and consultant to Cumbria PCT on reviewing quality and sustainability of cancer services.

As a GP, and latterly, managing partner, at the Castlefields Health Centre in Runcorn from 1971 - 2007, Professor Colin-Thomé helped steer through many innovations, such as pioneering systematic management of long-term conditions.

Sir William Wells, Chairman of Guy's and St Thomas' Charity, said: "We are delighted that Professor Colin-Thomé is further strengthening our immensely skilled and talented Trustee board. His experience of primary care reform at a national level, as well as implementing new models of integrated care will be hugely beneficial to the Charity as we move forward to implement our newly agreed strategy."

Professor Colin-Thomé, said: "There is increased pressure on the NHS to deliver excellent services at reduced cost, so this will require some innovative thinking and where the Charity can play a role. Additionally, the Charity can make a real difference to issues such as poor outcomes for cancer treatment, by supporting innovation in primary care to reduce the delay between diagnosis and treatment."

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Note to editors:

  1. The appointment follows the departure of Fiona Godlee, editor in chief at the BMJ, from the Trustee board on 31 October 2011.
     
  2. A print sized image of Professor Colin- Thomé can be provided on request by contacting Kate Mensah, Head of Communications on Tel: 0207188 1218 or Mob: 07722 119157 or email: kate.mensah@gsttcharity.org.uk
     
  3. Guy's and St Thomas' Charity is a catalyst for health and healthcare improvement in Lambeth and Southwark. It supports innovation in order to create world-leading healthcare in Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; to improve the physical and mental health of the local population; and to fulfil the vision of King's Health Partners.

    As a catalyst for change, the Charity provides grants, loans and investment finance. It also deploys its property and estates and arts and heritage expertise in pursuit of health and healthcare improvement.

    The Charity has a special, strategic relationship with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, its historic partner and principal beneficiary. It also supports other public, private or third sector organisations that can help it deliver its mission and priorities. Fundraising and donations enrich the work of the Charity.
     
  4. For further information please visit www.gsttcharity.org.uk or contact Kate Mensah, Head of Communications on Tel: 0207188 1218 or Mob: 07722 119157