Professor Sir Liam Donaldson
Professor Sir Liam Donaldson is currently Chairman of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health. It encompasses three divisions; the National Research Ethics Service, the National Reporting and Learning Service and the National Clinical Assessment Service. The NPSA’s vision is to lead and contribute to improved, safe patient care by informing, supporting and influencing healthcare individuals and organisations. Sir Liam is recognised as an international champion of patient safety and has chaired the World Health Organisation World Alliance for Patient Safety since its launch in 2004.
Prior to this appointment Sir Liam was the Chief Medical Officer for England, and the United Kingdom's Chief Medical Adviser, from 1998-2010. During this time he held critical responsibilities across the whole field of public health and health care. As the United Kingdom's chief adviser on health issues, he advised the Secretary of State for Health, the Prime Minister and other government ministers. He has produced landmark reports which have set health policy and legislation in fields such as stem cell research, quality and safety of health care, infectious disease control, patient empowerment, poor clinical performance, smoke free public places, medical regulation, and organ and tissue retention. Sir Liam's Annual Reports, ‘On the State of Public Health’, have strongly championed the need for action on key areas of the nation's health. For example, his calls for action on obesity and on the need for smoke-free public places and workplaces triggered an extensive public debate on the growing concern about these issues and the need for action to address them.
Sir Liam initially trained as a surgeon in Birmingham and went on to hold teaching and research posts at the University of Leicester. In 1986, he was appointed Regional Medical Officer and Regional Director of Public Health for the Northern Regional Health Authority.
Sir Liam has received many public honours: 12 honorary doctorates from British universities; eight fellowships from medical royal colleges and faculties; the Gold Medal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; the Queen's Honorary Physician between 1996 and 1999. He was Knighted in the 2002 New Year's Honours List.