Dr Neil Cunningham
Originally from Northern Ireland, Neil completed his medical degree at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, intercalating in Zoology.
Neil completed his academic foundation training (leadership and management) at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
During foundation training, in the beginning of the pandemic, Neil led the redeployment of junior doctors at Northampton General Hospital. He also completed a PGCert in Leadership for the Health Professions at the University of Swansea, graduating with a Distinction. Neil’s research which focussed on reducing oxygen wastage during the pandemic garnered awards locally, and at the FMLM Leaders in Healthcare Conference 2021.
After foundation training, Neil returned to Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust as a Medical Education Fellow, and Honorary Teaching Fellow at the University of Leicester. He worked clinically in Emergency Medicine and Palliative Care whilst also completing a PGCert in Medical Education at the University of Cambridge.
In his role as Medical Education Fellow, Neil led the reform of undergraduate medical education for students on placement from the Universities of Oxford and Leicester. He designed and delivered a range of supra-curricular education programmes, the most notable of which was the ‘Ward-Craft and Bleep Simulation Programme’ which proved to be an invaluable training opportunity for final year medical students, aiding the transition from student to healthcare professional.
Outside of Medicine, Neil co-founded the international education company, Elite Journey; an award-winning company focussed on inspiring younger children to build the 21st century skills and global competencies to become future leaders.
Reason for applying for the scheme
Neil is passionate about clinical leadership within healthcare. He applied to the scheme to gain experience working at an organisational level, combining his clinical experience with the theoretical underpinnings of NHS leadership and management gained through his studies and the FMLM programme.
His application was driven by the opportunity to better understand how the healthcare system works. Neil wants to refine his skills in navigating the complex health system and geo-political landscape to play his part in fulfilling the ambitions of the NHS Long-Term Plan through strengthened leadership.
Neil strongly believes that developing medical leaders capable of understanding complexity and driving appropriate interventions is essential to achieve the Long Term Plan and to build back fairer in a post-pandemic era, maintaining the core values of the NHS.
Neil is honoured and humbled to be appointed as the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow at the UK Health Security Agency. He is excited to meet and collaborate with other fellows and senior NHS leaders to plan for, prevent and respond to external health threats and reduce health inequalities during what is a watershed moment in healthcare history.
