Dr Simon Edwards is CNWL's new Deputy Chief Medical Officer

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Simon Edwards as CNWL's Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

Simon will continue as the Medical Director for Diggory Division. He will work alongside CNWL's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Cornelius Kelly one day a week in this new role and take on the duties of Responsible Officer (RO) from 1 April 2023.

Dr Edwards says,

“I have been Medical Director of Diggory Division for four years.

“As a leader, clinician, academic, systems thinker, change agent and improver, I derive joy at work from delivering the highest possible care for patients and supporting staff to be the best they can be.

“Service user and carer experience is a vital to me as clinical outcomes and I fully understand that to achieve this that meaningful involvement of the receivers of the care we provide is essential.

“As a values-based leader I will bring kindness, inclusivity, respect and fairness. My core strengths are my abilities to persuade, inspire and influence, and my determination to succeed for the benefits of patients and staff.”

Diggory division has 2,000 staff and a budget of £125 million. The portfolio includes local block and specialist tariff-based contracts commissioned by CCGs, Local Authorities and NHS England. The service lines are Health and Justice, Community, Addictions, Mental Health, Dentistry and Sexual Health Services. 

The ’Responsible officer’ is a distinct medical director responsibility, ensuring the medical workforce is fit for purpose, have appraisal and revalidation, and poor performance is appropriately managed. Visit NHS England's website for more information.

Simon lives in south London,  with his wife, who is also a doctor at Guys and St Thomas’s, and their 3 children.