NHS England unveils new National Clinical Director of Diabetes and Obesity

Dr Clare Hambling has been announced as the new National Clinical Director of Diabetes Obesity.

NHS England has revealed that the recognised GP from Norfolk has filled the position after Professor Jonathan Valabhji OBE stepped down from the role in September 2023.

Dr Hambling is a GP at the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System and the Chair of the Primary Care Diabetes Society (PCDS). Additionally, she is the Chair of the West Norfolk Diabetes Network.

The news comes as NHS England announces a total of eight new national clinical director appointments.

NHS England said to the Health Service Journal: “The National Clinical Directors are a group of senior practising clinicians who provide overarching national clinical leadership to the organisation to support programmes and priorities, in addition to their clinical practice in the NHS.

“They have extensive knowledge of their speciality areas and current experience in frontline NHS service.”

It added: “The National Clinical Directors play a pivotal role in supporting NHS England to deliver the key ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan; providing clinical advice and leadership to drive transformation of services for patients and ensuring an NHS fit for the future.”