WHO appoints strategic adviser for surgery safety drive
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed a new figurehead for its surgery-focused international healthcare safety drive. As “envoy for patient safety”, the UK’s Professor Sir Liam Donaldson will: advise the WHO director-general on strategic issues in patient safety and propose strategic actions and collaborations globally; promote patient safety as a global public health priority; and mobilise political support among the world’s health leaders and major donors, philanthropic organisations and governments for priority activities at national and international levels. Sir Liam is the founder and a former chairman of the World Alliance for Patient Safety, and is currently chairman of the UK’s National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). He was England’s Chief Medical Officer during 1998-2010.