New Director of Medicine Appointed
05-March-2012
Dr Stewart Irvine has been appointed to the role of Director of Medicine for NHS Education for Scotland (NES), following a national recruitment exercise. He takes over from Dr Mike Watson who retires from NES at the end of March.
Announcing the appointment, NES Chief Executive, Malcolm Wright said: "Stewart is currently Deputy Director of Medicine and brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this pivotal role for NES. I look forward to working with him as we drive forward our ambitious plans to develop the NHS workforce in Scotland."
Dr Irvine graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and completed postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. During this time he undertook clinical academic training in the Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and was appointed to a clinical consultant post in 1992 within the MRC Human Reproductive Sciences unit and the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. His clinical and research interests were in the field of reproductive medicine - particularly issues affecting male reproductive health - a field in which he has published and presented extensively.
Dr Irvine joined NES in 2004 as Associate Postgraduate Dean, becoming Deputy Director of Medicine in 2008.
His career path makes him ideally suited to his new strategic
role with NES, combining clinical practice with a long interest in
postgraduate medical education and training. The latter
developed over the course of his clinical and academic career,
initially through undergraduate teaching, the roles of RCOG College
Tutor and Regional Educational Advisor, and as Chair of the
Regional Specialty Training Committee. His early role
in NES saw him responsible for trainees in the surgical specialties
before assuming the wider responsibilities of Deputy Director of
Medicine.
In his role as Deputy Director of Medicine, Dr Irvine has lead on
the delivery of Quality Management and Quality Improvement within
the Medical Directorate, in addition to being responsible for work
on the quality management of the learning environment across all
professional groups within NES. He also leads our work on
Medical ACT, through which NES supports clinical placements for
undergraduate medical students.
As a General Medical Council (GMC) Associate, he sits on the GMC Quality Scrutiny Group, and has been extensively involved as a GMC Visitor to medical schools and postgraduate deaneries elsewhere in the UK.
Dr Irvine said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to this post and look forward to leading the work of the NES medical directorate with the support of my senior colleagues and key stakeholders. I am particularly keen to ensure that the quality of education, training and support for doctors in Scotland remains at a high standard. This post also presents an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with other health professions and share best practice."
ENDS
Reference: 1109
Further information from: Christine Patch, Head of
Corporate Communications: christine.patch@nes.scot.nhs.uk:
0131 313 8059
A photograph of Dr Irvine is available on request or by
downloading from our Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nhseducationforscotland/
NOTES TO EDITORS
- NES is NHSScotland's national education and training Board. We are responsible for supporting NHS services to the people of Scotland through the development and delivery of education and training for all those who work in NHSScotland: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk
- Further information on the work of our Medical Directorate is available here: /education-and-training/by-discipline/medicine.aspx
