AN Oxford surgeon has been chosen as part of a team which will lead a national improvement programme of medical and surgical procedures in the NHS.

Consultant for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery at the John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bob Handley, is one of handful of leading clinicians from across the country appointed to oversee the ‘Getting It Right First Time’ (GIRFT) programme.

The clinicians will visit trusts to look at data and variations in procedures and treatments across 35 medical areas.

The aim is to bring about improvement by reducing unwarranted variations and sharing best practice between NHS trusts.

Mr Handley will focus on improvements for Trauma Surgery in the NHS.

He said: “Our aim is to get it right the first time and even better the next.

“That aim is backed by a belief that over all good treatment costs less than bad and that standardisation of practice will bring resilience to the system.

“I look forward to playing a part in bringing GIRFT to my field of Orthopaedic Trauma.”

National director of Clinical Quality and Efficiency at NHS Improvement, professor Tim Briggs, said: “The GIRFT programme is building bridges by having clinical leaders who not only understand the challenges ahead, but are also committed to providing real solutions and providing long lasting benefits to improving better patient outcomes and efficiencies across the NHS hospitals in England.”