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Warwick professor appointed National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care

Professor Matthew Cooke has been appointed as the new National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, the Department of Health announced today.

Matthew Cooke is Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Warwick’ Warwick Medical School and has undertaken a wide range of research in emergency medicine including clinical trials of the treatment of injuries and research in to how emergency care should be organised.

Professor Cooke was previously (2000-2007) the emergency medicine advisor at the Department of Health, where he was instrumental in many of the reforms of the NHS emergency care system and he has also advised many overseas emergency care systems on reducing waiting times and improving quality of care.

Health Minister Mike O’Brien said: “This is a key leadership appointment which will shape and support clinical involvement in delivering Urgent and Emergency Care in England.

“Professor Cooke has vast experience in urgent and emergency care and will be a real asset to the Department.”

Professor Cooke said: “I am delighted to be taking up the post of National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care at the Department of Health. I look forward to being able to work with colleagues in ambulance services, primary care, emergency departments and secondary care to further improve the quality and safety of emergency care delivered by the NHS.  Working closely with service users and NHS staff will be key to re-energising the system to bring about emergency care improvements.”

Professor Cooke will take up his appointment on 4 January 2009 for two days a week over a period of three years. In addition, Professor Cooke will also continue to practise as an emergency medicine consultant at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham.

Notes to Editors

For more details contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Communications Officer, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 574255, 07824 540863

The post of National Clinical Director for Emergency Care was the subject of an open national recruitment exercise run on behalf of the Department by Capita.

Department of Health press office available on 0207 210 5221