Royal Preston Covid doctor's 'shock' at Health Service Journal Awards shortlisting

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A senior physician at the Royal Preston Hospital says that he was amazed to learn that he had made the shortlist for a prestigious national award - because he was completely unaware that he had even been nominated for it.

Professor Mohammed Munavvar is one of nine NHS medics in the running for the Clinical Leader of the Year gong at the 2023 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards.

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The accolade is regarded as one the most coveted in healthcare and Professor Munavvar’s place on the shortlist comes against the backdrop of him having become an internationally renowned expert in Covid-19 since the pandemic struck and also helping to bring an innovative new lung cancer screening procedure to Central Lancashire - the first of its kind to be used anywhere in the UK.

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Professor Mohammed Munavvar says his award nomination would not have been possible without the colleagues he works withProfessor Mohammed Munavvar says his award nomination would not have been possible without the colleagues he works with
Professor Mohammed Munavvar says his award nomination would not have been possible without the colleagues he works with

The respiratory consultant told the Lancashire Post that it was “hugely humbling and an honour” even just to be nominated - and that he still had no idea who to thank for that.

“I’m enormously grateful to colleagues who have thought me worthy of nomination. I imagine [it was made by] people higher up in the hospital or on the executive committee - because they have always been ever so supportive of [what is needed] to give the best possible care to the patient,” Professor Munavvar said.

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He also stressed that his shortlisting was down to the other committed staff around him - and that the work for which he had been recognised was in no way the result of “a one-man show”.

“Although it may be my name [on the list], nothing is possible in my field without the constant support, input and assistance from a very wide range of teams.

“I couldn't function without colleagues in the respiratory ward, the endoscopy unit, the chest clinic, the radiologists, the research department and the Rosemere Cancer Foundation - they are just a few of the people that we interact with to ensure that the work we do is of the highest quality.

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“It's nice also for the hospital after the challenges of the pandemic and [all the] other stresses that we experience day-to-day - because my colleagues are working so hard.”

As the Post has previously reported, Professor Munavvar - who also specialises in tuberculosis and minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment techniques - was instrumental in bringing pioneering new LungVision equipment to the Royal Preston earlier this summer. Funded by the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, the specialist kit increases the accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis from the usual rate of just 50 percent to around 85 percent.

He says that the system immediately began yielding the results he had hoped for - and has also attracted interest from hospitals elsewhere in the country.

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As a result, Professor Munavvar hopes to add it to the list of advanced procedures for which he runs a course every year in order to disseminate the specialist knowledge of him and his team to other parts of the NHS.

Kevin McGee, chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - which runs the Royal Preston - says that it is that kind of generosity and collaboration that make the organisation’s top respiratory consultant worthy of the HSJ Awards shortlist.

“Professor Munavvar is a wonderful, selfless and dedicated doctor who gives so much to others on both a personal and professional basis. He is an inspirational clinical leader whose influence and impact extend way beyond the day-to-day work he does in the hospital.

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“He is recognised by many people for his outstanding contribution to the field of respiratory medicine and also for the charity, community engagement and voluntary work he does to support others. He fully deserves to be recognised for all his achievements.

“Whatever the result on the night, we are extremely proud of Professor Munavvar and to have the opportunity to share his success with colleagues from across the entire sector.

“His success will be a huge boost for our dedicated and hardworking respiratory team at Royal Preston Hospital following the incredible work achieved during the pandemic,” Mr. McGee added.

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The HSJ Awards have a 43-year history and this year attracted a record 1,456 entries across 25 categories.

The publication’s editor, Alistair McLellan, offered his congratulations to all those who had been shortlisted from that lengthy field and said: “It’s been so encouraging to hear that 2023 has been record-breaking in terms of the number of applicants and, as ever, the calibre of entries left our panel of expert judge with some tough decisions to deliberate over.

“However, it’s always important to remember that the HSJ Awards are not just a celebration of success stories, but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.

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“We can’t wait to…recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector – as well as coming together to help mark the 75 th birthday of our great NHS.”

The HSJ awards ceremony will be held in London on 16th November.