Dr Kath McCullough

As a bariatric physician I can see first hand the challenges our patients face in trying to achieve weight loss, the barriers and stigma they endure, limitations in access to healthcare services in a timely and efficient manner and barriers to receiving treatments.

My background in research into GLP-1 analogues has translated directly to the clinical care I provide and I am passionate about driving forward evidence-based medicine that is easily accessible to our patients. However it is clear that we still need to do a lot more work in engaging with stakeholders involved in weight management services on a system, regional and national level in order to standardise care and improve health inequalities. In addition, there are opportunities for collaboration in research which would drive recruitment to clinical trials and encourage clinicians and other allied healthcare professionals to engage with this.

Currently I am the co-chair for the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities SE England working committee for adult weight management services. Part of this role involves engaging and promoting discussion amongst the various tiers involved with weight management from primary and community care, health authorities, secondary care, commissioners and Public Health England. It is clear that within the Tier system, healthcare professionals are working in silos and there needs to be better communication not just on a local level but also regionally.

My role as the NHS England SE England Regional Advisor for Acute Medicine has given me the opportunity to understand the structure of NHSE and how the systems work in delivering services on a national level. As a Clinical Director in my hospital, I have also developed various skills in communication, leadership, service re-design, clinical governance and media representation. In 2019, I completed the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management Tomorrow’s Strategic Leader course which lasted for 18 months and provided the foundation for many of these skills required in the various roles that I have taken up.

Going forwards, I hope that if successful in this role as a Trustee, I will have the opportunity to put into practice some of the experience I have had to date and specifically focus on two particular areas: promoting good practice on a national level including service re-design for emerging new therapies and secondly encouraging those in weight management services to engage in research.