Robotic surgery pioneer and former Health Minister Lord Ara Darzi has been appointed as NICE's first honorary Fellow.

A total of 20 fellowships and scholarships were presented to NHS health professionals from a range of disciplines including general practice, physiotherapy, public health, radiology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and intensive care.

Professor Peter Littlejohns, Director of Clinical and Public Health at NICE, said: "We are very honoured to have such high-calibre health professionals on board for the first year of our NICE Fellows and Scholars Programme. Our appointees have been chosen for their dedication, foresight and experience in promoting clinically- and cost-effective practice in the NHS.

"While the fellowships and scholarships will provide them with opportunities to develop further in their own careers and improve the quality of healthcare in their local areas, we also hope that they will allow us to engage even more closely with the NHS and foster a growing network of individuals who are committed to promoting our core values."

NICE awarded 10 fellowships to senior health professionals across the NHS, primarily at consultant level. They will represent the Institute within their local health and professional communities, as well as being involved in activities such as clinical audit, education and policy development.

The Institute also awarded 10 scholarships to specialist registrars and other qualified health professionals, who will undertake a variety of projects in the twelve months that they hold the post.

The Fellows and Scholars Programme was developed following recommendations made in Lord Darzi's NHS Next Stage Review (June 2008).

NICE intends to begin its search for the Programme's second intake of Fellows and Scholars in the autumn as part of an ongoing annual recruitment process.

 
Lord Darzi