Clinical Engineer presented with prestigious Chief Scientific Officer's Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Dan Clark OBE, Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals, has been presented with a Chief Scientific Officer’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to engineering.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK, Dan and a team of experts established a national technical due diligence team to test and ensure that non-standard ventilators and other medical kit which were rapidly brought in from all over the world were fit for purpose.
Angela Douglas MBE, Deputy Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England and NHS Improvement, said: “Dan and his team were exceptional in the work that they undertook making sure that these exotic ventilators and other equipment which was very much needed in the NHS and in our Nightingale Hospitals, were fit for purpose and that they were able to be connected into our theatres and Critical Care Units.
“They also made sure that medical staff were trained in this new kit that was vital in keeping our Covid-19 patients alive.”
As well as this, last year when India faced a significant surge in Covid-19, Dan -through his role as now former Vice President of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) – worked with the Global Clinical Engineering Alliance to help people in India deal with donated medical equipment they have not used before. He also sought volunteers from UK clinical engineering centres and networks who had experience of commissioning a range of equipment which was supplied by the UK Government to the Indian Red Cross in Delhi.
Dan’s due diligence work continues with some of the newer innovations that are currently being rolled out such as the NHS @home programme.
Dan - who was awarded with an OBE by her by Her Majesty the Queen, in the New Year 2021 Honours List, for services to Clinical Engineering – has worked in the NHS for more than 35 years.
Having developed a strong national and international reputation in healthcare technology management and innovation, he’s taken senior roles in the field including supporting the NICE Medical Technology Programme and being a member of the Founders’ Council of the Global Clinical Engineering Alliance.
Dan also holds an honorary Chair at the University of Nottingham where he brings his NHS experience to help support the development of technologies of the future.
His dedication to providing high quality care to patients has been evident throughout his career but never more so than during the exceptional times of the recent pandemic.
Professor Dan Clark OBE, Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: “Being presented this award was a real surprise and an honour to receive. This is testament to the wonderful team around me and the incredible work of Clinical Engineers all across the NHS.”
Claire Greaves, Chief Scientist at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: “I was so pleased to hear that Dan was awarded the Chief Scientific Officer’s Lifetime achievement award for his services to engineering.
“This award, as well as the OBE that Dan was awarded in 2021, recognises Dan’s dedication to this field and his many achievements over his long career. It also highlights the work that all our engineers are doing on a daily basis to ensure high quality care for our patients.”