Published: 01/08/2002, Volume II2, No. 5816 Page 9
Name: Dr Linda Patterson
Job: Medical director, Commission for Health Improvement
Style: Evidence-based and enthusiastic.As the person who leads CHI's investigation work, she uses words like 'triangulated'- evidence that has been confirmed by three sources.And she checks her voicemail even when she's on her hols.
Handles CHI's relations with the medical professions, and matters such as the protocol between CHI and the General Medical Council - of which she was a member from 1995-2000.'If patients are at risk, you have to do something, ' she said in her GMC days.'It is not about protecting namby pamby doctors.'Perhaps her stint at the Greenham Common women's peace camp helps with conflict resolution.Works parttime as a consultant in care of the elderly.
Background: Trained at Middlesex Hospital medical school, qualifying in 1975.Experienced the 1970s attitude to women doctors when another school, keen not to exceed its quota of women, told her she would 'have to wait for a girl to drop out'.Was medical director at Burnley Health Care trust, where she has been a consultant since 1986, before taking on her CHI role in 2000.Member of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisals panel in 19992000, and an honorary lecturer at Manchester Uni since 1986.Scooped an OBE for services to medical management in 2000.
Future prospects: Set to wield more power as CHI turns into the new, tougher Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection.Could one day move on to break the long line of men and become chief medical officer.
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