Cardiff and Vale University Health Board appoints new Executive Medical, Life Science and Precision Medicine Director

We are delighted to formally announce the appointment of Dr David Fluck as the new Executive Medical Director. Following a robust process, David was chosen unanimously by the panel as a result of his demonstrable and significant experience as a Medical Director and clinician.

David joins us from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Surrey, where he has held a number of positions including interim Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director for the past 28 years.

David obtained his professional qualifications:  MBBS, BSc (Biochemistry) and Medical Doctorate (MD) from the University of London and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, MRCP (UK), FRCP (UK). He has worked at many hospitals in London and the South East including St Bartholomew's Hospital, Guys Hospital London, and the Hammersmith Medical School. He held Registrar positions at Whipps Cross Hospital and the London Chest Hospital and was a Research Fellow at St Mary's Hospital. 

David has had an illustrious medical career, spanning over four decades. He was appointed as Consultant Cardiologist at St George’s Hospital and St Peter's Hospital in 1996, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in 2001, and Postgraduate Tutor from 2002 - 2006. He was the Clinical Lead on the West Surrey Cardiac Network, from 2005 to 2008.

David said: “I am delighted to be joining Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as the Executive Medical Director of one of Wales’ finest medical and healthcare professional teaching centres. This is an ambitious Health Board and the newly refreshed strategy ‘Shaping our Future Wellbeing’ and developing Clinical Services Plan is a great opportunity to shape the way healthcare services develop, innovate and broaden to meet the needs of the local population and those across Wales who need the tertiary services provided, thus reducing inequalities and improving outcomes.

“I am looking forward to working closely with such a dynamic executive team and Board and I have been impressed with the quality of the medical colleagues I have met so far. This is the first time I will have worked in a fully integrated organisation and I’m looking forward to contributing to the achievement of the clear benefits to that way of working.

“The Welsh NHS is not unfamiliar to me as I am a regular visitor with close family living not too far from Cardiff, but I am very much looking forward to spending more time here and living in Wales.”

Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive said: “David and I have worked together previously in different roles, and I am delighted that he applied to come and join the Cardiff and Vale team. David underwent a thorough and competitive recruitment process which included discussions with stakeholders and colleagues, where he impressed all. David joins us at a time of significant challenge but also of great opportunity as we progress our digitisation journey, begin to fully understand the benefits to patients and to the NHS of precision medicine and advanced therapies and are implementing those treatments and therapies in practice.

“Having worked with David, I know he is a great team player, a passionate advocate for the multi-professional team and for learning and development. He is excited by innovations that are supported by robust evidence, high quality research and implementation that seeks to make best use of limited resources and eradicate unwarranted variation and harm. Most of all David is a kind and compassionate leader whose priority is always his patient, colleague or team.” 

David is expected to join the Health Board early in October 2024. In the meantime, Dr Richard Skone will continue as the Interim Executive Medical Director. 

Suzanne commented, “Richard’s leadership, commitment and professionalism, as he has undertaken this challenging role over the last few months has been first class and Richard continues to have the full support and confidence of the Board whilst his duties in this role continue.”

Charles Janczewski, Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “David is bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to Cardiff and Vale UHB and I am looking forward to working with him while he drives forward our clinical practices and innovations to ensure we continue to provide equitable services to our population.

"David is joining us at a time where we are facing significant challenges but with his leadership skills and clinical expertise I am confident this appointment will make a positive difference to the clinical leadership to help shape our future ambitions.”