Imperial clinician appointed national obesity and diabetes director

The appointment was one of 21 new national clinical directors announced by Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of NHS England.

The national clinical directors are all practising clinicians who will report to the NHS Commissioning Board’s medical directorate, providing expert advice on distinct areas of NHS care.

Dr Jonathan Valabhji said:“The increasing prevalence of both obesity and diabetes in the UK is one of the greatest health challenges the country faces, and I look forward to working with healthcare colleagues across the country to try to address this.

“Research shows that by 2025, an estimated five million people will have diabetes which in turn will have huge implications around resources. Prevention has to be part of the answer and obesity management will come to the fore. This is why my work at the NHS Commissioning Board straddles both diabetes and obesity.”