Our surgeon chosen to represent London in NHS birthday awards
Mr Shafi Ahmed, a local surgeon at The Royal London Hospital, has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to represent London in a prestigious competition to mark the NHS’s 70th birthday.
Nominated by Ms Rushanara Ali MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Mr Ahmed is the regional champion in the Future NHS Award category.
He will now vie with other regional winners from across England for a national award to be presented at a special ceremony in the Palace of Westminster in July.
Rushanara Ali MP for Bethnal Green and Bow said: “It was a privilege to nominate Professor Shafi Ahmed and celebrate the enormous contribution he and his team at The Royal London Hospital make to the care and wellbeing of so many people.
“I am delighted that his achievements have been recognised with the NHS70 regional award, and wish him all the best in the national awards next month.”
The NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, sponsored by IBM and Teva, recognise the massive contribution made by the individuals who work in and alongside the NHS.
Alwen Williams, Chief Executive of Barts Health NHS Trust added: “It is wonderful to recognise how Professor Ahmed is using technology to share our world-renowned surgical care and training. I am proud of his dedication to advancing the quality of healthcare for others.”
Shafi Ahmed, Consultant General, Laparoscopic and Colorectal Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust said: "It is humbling to be chosen as the regional winner in theFuture NHS Award category of the NHS70 Parliamentary Awards. I would like to thank both Rushanara Ali MP and Barts Health.
“Technology and innovation will undoubtedly help solve some of the problems within any health system and will ultimately make healthcare and medical education more affordable, accessible and equitable around the world.”
Launched in February, MPs were asked to find and nominate those individuals or teams they thought have made the biggest improvements to health services in their constituencies across ten categories.
From over 750 entries, senior experts have chosen four outstanding nominations in each category, which exemplify the best of what the NHS and its partners do day in, day out.
The regional champions will now go forward to a final stage of judging by a panel including the leaders of Royal Colleges, the Unison trade union, and the Patients Association – collectively representing millions of health and care workers and patients.
All champions will now also be invited to the national awards ceremony, which will be held on July 4th, the day before the NHS’s 70th birthday.
The ceremony will be hosted by Dr Sara Kayat, NHS GP & TV Doctor best known for This Morning, Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls and GPs: Behind Closed Doors.