Press release: MHRA appoints new Medical Director of Devices
Press Release
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| Date: |
9 October 2012 |
| Time: |
11:00 |
| Subject: |
MHRA appoints new Medical Director of Devices |
| Contact: |
Press Office 020 3080 7651
or press.office@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
Out-of-hours 07770 446 189
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today announced that Michael Rhodes has been appointed as its new Medical Director of Devices with effect from 8 November 2012. He replaces Dr Susanne Ludgate, who is retiring in December after 15 years in the post and 21 years working for the agency.
Mr Rhodes has been a consultant surgeon since 1995 and specialises in weight loss, hernia, gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgery. He was president of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland from 2009-2011 and he has sat on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee for the last four years.
After completing medical school in Oxford and Cambridge, he finished his surgical training in Newcastle, Bristol, and Cardiff. He also spent time in Germany, America and also worked for a year in Australia, where he was a fellow in laparoscopic surgery.
Professor Sir Kent Woods, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said: “I am delighted that Michael is joining the MHRA. His clinical expertise and experience will be vital in our role of safeguarding public health and ensuring medical devices are fit for purpose.
“Dr Susanne Ludgate has been a huge asset to the MHRA during her time here and she has been a continued source of good clinical advice to health professionals and the public. She is well-known and respected throughout the healthcare profession and industry.”
Mr Michael Rhodes, said: “I am delighted to be taking this role at a time of great change for the Agency and looking forward to building relationships with the royal colleges and professional bodies as well as expanding the academic endeavours started by Dr Susanne Ludgate.”
Dr Susanne Ludgate, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with some of the best healthcare professionals in the world across the NHS and play a role in safeguarding public health. I wish Michael well in his new role and I’m sure he will be very successful.”
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Notes to Editor
1. Dr Susanne Ludgate took up her post at the Medical Devices Agency in 1991 before it became part of the MHRA in 2003. She served as Senior Medical Officer until she was appointed Clinical Director 1997.
2. The MHRA is the government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the risks. We keep watch over medicines and devices, and take any necessary action to protect the public promptly if there is a problem. We encourage everyone – the public and healthcare professionals as well as the industry – to tell us about any problems with a medicine or medical device, so that we can investigate and take any necessary action. www.mhra.gov.uk
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Page last modified:
09 October 2012
