New Medical Director for Primary Care & Digital Transformation in London
NHS England (London) has announced its new Medical Director for Primary Care and Digital Transformation – Dr Jonty Heaversedge.
Dr Heaversedge is a well-known and respected GP with nearly two decades of experience, including teaching and training GPs and medical students, working for many years as a GP Partner in an inner city practice in South East London, and leading a significant program of primary care transformation in the London borough of Southwark.
He has served on the Governing Body of NHS Southwark CCG since its inception in 2013 and has been its Chair for the last three years. Dr Heaversedge has been providing clinical leadership for the community-based care program in South East London which now forms a key component of the STP for this part of the capital. He has a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing and has contributed to a number of TV series in the past aimed at raising public awareness and informing and empowering individuals, enabling them to take more responsibility for their own health.
This is a newly created post, and Dr Heaversedge will provide clinical leadership for primary care transformation and the digital agenda in the NHS in London.
Dr Heaversedge said: “I am passionate about the need for high quality, sustainable primary care in London, and recognise the value it brings to local health and care systems. It is essential that vibrant primary care services are at the heart of the new models of care currently emerging across the capital.”
“Digital technology is a key enabler of this transformation and I am incredibly excited about the opportunity this new role offers, which is about using information to support both the direct provision of accessible high quality care, and enhanced planning so that services can continuously improve and better reflect the needs of our diverse communities.”
Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director said: “I am delighted to appoint Jonty to this key new role for London’s NHS. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills to our leadership team and we look forward to working with him.”
Dr Heaversedge will begin his new role at NHS England on 1st August, but will continue as Chair of Southwark CCG over the next year ensuring continuity of leadership at a time of significant transition for CCGs across the capital.