Medical director set to lead Aston into the heart of healthcare policy review

A Liverpool doctor is celebrating after being accepted on a prestigious Leadership Programme run by the UK's academic organisation for family doctors, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Dr Amjed Ali, medical director at Knowsley-based primary care provider, Aston Healthcare, is one of only a handful of applicants from throughout the UK to be accepted on the course following a stringent assessment and selection process in London. Success on the course could confirm his credentials as a leading influencer on healthcare policy and practice.

Rapid developments in the NHS, general practice and primary care continue to create an even greater need for effective leadership within the healthcare sector. The renowned RCGP Leadership Programme seeks to develop a new generation of leaders who can engage with the fast changing healthcare environment at both local and national level.

A GP in some of Liverpool's most deprived areas for over 13 years, Dr Ali has worked for Aston Healthcare since it began in 2003. As medical director he is a lead member of the clinical team, responsible for maintaining the highest standards of patient care, as well as the strategic growth and development of the organisation.

Many of the issues at the forefront of the UK's current primary care agenda such as Practice Based Commissioning and enhanced clinical governance are also at the heart of Aston Healthcare's own vision for healthcare provision in the local community. Dr Ali hopes that the Leadership Programme will enable him to promote these issues and give GP's a voice in shaping future UK healthcare policy.

Commenting on Dr Ali's acceptance on the course, Aston's managing director, Dr James Heath said: "We are very proud of Dr Ali's achievement. On a personal level it is an opportunity for him to learn new skills and further his own professional development, whilst from Aston Healthcare's perspective it provides an excellent platform to raise our profile as a leading primary care organisation amongst key influencers within healthcare, government and industry."

Dr Ali will start the course in October.