Nigel has a clinical background as a consultant gynaecological oncologist, building a national profile through contributions to this specialist area. He was awarded his doctorate in medicine for research into tumour growth following surgical intervention in ovarian cancer, holds qualifications in patient safety and clinical risk management, health service governance and was awarded Founding Senior Fellowship of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management in 2017.
He has held senior roles in health care regulation and the health and social care system in England over the last 15 years, retiring from his role as Chief Medical Officer in the NHS Devon Integrated Care Board in June 2024. He has expertise in regulation through roles as Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and as Regional Medical Director and Higher Level Responsible Officer for the South Region of NHS England (NHSE).
At the CQC Nigel led three operational teams to deliver regulation and the inspection programme for acute NHS and independent hospitals, NHS and independent ambulance services and hospices across London and the South of England, covering a population of over 30 million. He chaired the CQC Fit and Proper Persons panel, led developments to the maternity and acute hospital regulatory approach and chaired the CQC immediate regulatory response group in response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
At NHS England Nigel led the implementation of the systems and processes to support medical revalidation by the General Medical Council in the South of England – across approximately 167 NHS and Independent organisations, covering around 34,000 doctors. Working across organisational boundaries, and with NHS and independent sector providers, he has extensive experience of commissioning, regulation, and governance across the increasingly complex architecture of commissioning and healthcare provision.
He is a Trustee and Patron of the FORCE cancer charity in Exeter, which provides holistic support to patients and families impacted by cancer.
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