National role for East Kent stroke consultant

East Kent Hospital’s consultant stroke physician and clinical lead Dr David Hargroves has been announced as a new National Clinical Director, taking a leading role for NHS England.

NHS England’s National Clinical Directors (NCDs) are a group of senior practising clinicians who provide overarching national leadership to the organisation to support programmes and priorities, in addition to their clinical practice in the NHS.

They have extensive knowledge of their speciality areas and current experience in frontline NHS services. The NCDs play a pivotal role in supporting NHS England (NHSE) to deliver the key ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan; providing clinical advice and leadership to drive transformation of services for patients and ensuring an NHS fit for the future.

Dr David Hargoves, a consultant stroke physician with East Kent Hospitals, is among the first of the new NCDs. He said: “This is an exciting opportunity to continue the great work of the national stroke programme and importantly, improve the lives of those who have suffered a stroke or are at risk of suffering one.

“One of the programme’s aims is to reduce the unwanted variation in access, experience and outcomes following a stroke that still unfortunately exists for some patients; ensuring we equip and support our hardworking and dedicated stroke teams, both locally and nationally, with the resources and skills to enable them to deliver the high-quality care our patients deserve.”

David graduated from University College London, with a Masters from Kings following a stroke research thesis during his general medicine, geriatric and stroke fellowship training. He has been the clinical lead for the ‘Getting it Right First Time’ (GIRFT) stroke programme for NHSE, meeting hundreds of acute and rehabilitation stroke teams, and co-writing the national stroke report, published in 2022.

He is an active researcher and has published widely, including pragmatic guidance on the adaption of services during and post the COVID 19 pandemic, including resources to assist systems improve the detection and treatment of modifiable vascular risk factors.