Teamwork core to new private unit
An artist’s impression of HCA’s Harborne Hospital in Birmingham, located on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham campus
By Agnes Rose
HCA Healthcare UK’s new multi-specialty private hospital, opening in Birmingham this autumn, has announced the appointment of its medical director.
Behind the driving seat at The Harborne Hospital is Mr Simon Radley, who has more than 37 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, specialising in general and colorectal surgery.
Simon Radley, appointed medical director of Harborne Hospital
He has played a key role in introducing new surgical protocols and techniques to the University Hospital Birmingham and was instrumental in setting up the Birmingham Bowel Clinic, the first private centre of excellence for managing bowel conditions in the West Midlands.
In his new role, he will be responsible for providing medical leadership, supporting the consultant body and – along with the leadership team – ‘creating a progressive and inclusive culture within the hospital’.
Mr Radley said The Harborne Hospital would offer comprehensive and specialist care across multiple disciplines.
‘Throughout my career, collaborating with the best clinicians to deliver patients the best treatment and care has always been paramount to me. This is an approach which I intend to carry through to my role as medical director at The Harborne Hospital.’
Claire Smith, chief executive of Joint Ventures at HCA, said: ‘Simon’s extensive experience with launching new clinics, techniques and protocols, alongside his leadership and business background, will support our commitment to having exceptional people, delivering exceptional care.
‘Simon was trained in Birmingham and has continued to work in the region for the majority of his career, so we can think of no one better to lead and manage the hospital’s highly qualified workforce.’
HCA said he would work with chief nursing officer Claire Hubbard ‘to actively promote a culture of quality, improvement and learning within its workforce’.
Mr Radley’s training began at Birmingham University Medical School and he continued surgical training in general surgery in the West Midlands, before completing specialist colorectal surgical training at St Marks Hospital in London.
He took up a post as senior lecturer and honorary consultant surgeon in colorectal surgery at Birmingham University and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, becoming a consultant colorectal surgeon at University Hospital Birmingham in 2002.
More recently he has become increasingly involved in introducing new consultants to private practice with an emphasis on building teams and partnerships, encouraging collegiate working within the independent sector.