Dr Michael Tilby

Michael Tilby is a medical oncology specialty trainee in the West Midlands, currently working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Michael graduated from Warwick Medical School in 2011 before completing the Foundation Programme in Coventry followed by Core Medical Training in Oxford.

Michael has a strong interest in medical education and worked as clinical education fellow at Warwick Hospital prior to commencing specialty training in oncology. During his time at Warwick Hospital Michael worked to improve leadership and management skills of Foundation Programme doctors, and studied the role of the assistantship in the transition from medical student to doctor as part of his Masters in Medical Education. Michael is the ESMO-ACP ambassador for the West Midlands deanery and trainee lead for teaching to support and encourage peers through specialty training.

During his medical training Michael aims to improve the care for patients through audit and quality improvement projects. Particular initiatives he has been involved with have focussed on improving patient safety through effective handover and improving outcomes for cancer patients, especially in the covid-19 pandemic.

Reason for applying for the scheme

Medical leadership is key to improving patient care, and that’s why Michael is so excited to work with the CQC as part of the scheme. It’s an opportunity to build upon and improve the leadership skills developed throughout medical training, by learning from some of the most senior leaders in healthcare. It also provides a chance to work in a different aspect of the healthcare system, seeing the connections between a variety of organisations and the factors that need to be balanced in order to give excellent care to all.

Within this scheme Michael will be able to develop all aspects of leadership skills and gain both a deeper understanding of, and an enhanced perspective on, how to manage and improve services. Michael hopes it will enhance his abilities and competence to deliver an impactful career within the NHS, which is particularly important as we look ahead to recovering from the current pandemic and focus upon what ‘normal’ practice should be in the future.