The Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (ICB), Ed Garratt OBE, has congratulated Professor Frankie Swords on her appointment as National Medical Director for the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.
Professor Swords will become the most senior doctor in the NHS in England, taking on responsibility for providing clinical leadership at a national level and helping to shape the future direction of health and social care across the country.
Professor Swords held the role of Executive Medical Director within NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB since July 2022 and, more recently, across Suffolk and North East Essex ICB.
At the ICB, Professor Swords has been the clinical lead for population health management – improving the health outcomes for local people and communities, with a particular focus on prevention, and reducing inequalities. She has also provided board level leadership for Research, Innovation and Quality Improvement, Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy, Antimicrobial Stewardship, and clinical and care professional leadership, while continuing to work one day a week as a consultant physician at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Prior to this, she was Medical Director at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in King’s Lynn.
Commenting on her appointment, Professor Swords said: “I am incredibly honoured to be appointed as National Medical Director.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside colleagues across Norfolk, Suffolk and north east Essex, and to support improvements in care for local people and communities.
“I am looking forward to taking on this role and continuing to champion high-quality, compassionate and evidence-based care for patients across England.”
Ed Garratt OBE said: “I am delighted for Frankie and extremely proud of her achievement.
“She is a highly respected clinician who brings vast experience, insight and leadership, all of which will be essential in such a high-profile national role.
“The fact that Frankie has spent a significant part of her career in Norfolk and Suffolk makes her appointment especially pleasing for our local system.
“I know she will make a huge success of this position, and I wish her every success.”
Professor Swords will begin the role in June, with recruitment for a new ICB Executive Medical Director to take place in due course.