NHS England appoints first medical director for mental health and neurodiversity
NHS England has announced the appointment of Dr. Adrian James as its first Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity. This newly established role underscores NHS England’s commitment to enhancing services for individuals with mental health needs, autism, learning disabilities, and neurodiversity.
Dr. James brings a wealth of experience to the position. He served as President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2020 to 2023, where he led the organization through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. His leadership was pivotal in prioritizing people with serious mental illness or learning disabilities for the Covid-19 vaccine, recognizing their increased vulnerability.
Currently, Dr. James is a board member of the NHS Race and Health Observatory and a member of the NHS Assembly. He was also the first Medical Director of Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion within the healthcare workforce.
One of Dr. James’s key goals during his tenure at the Royal College of Psychiatrists was to achieve parity of esteem, ensuring that mental health is regarded with the same importance as physical health. His new role will allow him to continue this advocacy on a larger scale.
Professor Stephen Powis, the National Medical Director of NHS England, expressed his enthusiasm about Dr. James’s appointment. He noted that this new role highlights NHS England’s dedication to robust clinical leadership, particularly in the fields of mental health and neurodiversity.
Claire Murdoch, the National Mental Health Director for NHS England, also welcomed Dr. James’s appointment. She praised his qualifications and expressed eagerness to collaborate closely with him to advance the NHS’s mental health and neurodiversity programs.
Dr. James himself expressed his excitement about joining NHS England’s leadership team. He acknowledged the significant progress made in mental health and neurodiversity and emphasized his commitment to working with colleagues, patients, the public, and the charity sector to further improve care outcomes and service accessibility.
This appointment is seen as a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to transform mental health and neurodiversity services within the NHS, aiming for better patient experiences and timely access to necessary care.
