Introducing the National Clinical Director
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs is the National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People's Mental Health at NHS England. A distinguished Consultant Neurologist, Dr. Isaacs brings a wealth of experience to this crucial part-time leadership position, providing essential clinical advice and leadership to drive the transformation of services for patients. His appointment in May 2024 marked a new chapter for this vital area of healthcare, succeeding Professor Alistair Burns CBE, who held the role for many years. The position is instrumental in ensuring that policies and practices align with the NHS Long Term Plan and national priorities, with a strong focus on delivering the best possible care for older people.
The Role of a National Clinical Director
National Clinical Directors at NHS England are a collective of practising clinicians who work in partnership with the organisation to influence and improve care across distinct areas of the health service. Their primary function is to provide expert clinical leadership and advice, using their frontline knowledge to shape national strategy and drive improvements.
This is particularly important in fields like dementia and older people's mental health, where service provision can be complex and requires constant adaptation to meet evolving patient needs.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Providing clinical advice: Offering expert input on the strategic direction of NHS programmes related to dementia and older people's mental health.
- Driving service transformation: Leading initiatives to improve the quality and value of healthcare services for older people.
- Shaping national policy: Helping to develop and inform future priorities and policies, potentially influencing legislation and parliamentary accountability.
- Promoting best practice: Highlighting and championing excellent clinical practice to ensure it is adopted nationwide.
Dr. Isaacs's Background and Expertise
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs's extensive background in neurology and cognitive disorders makes him exceptionally well-suited for this role. As a Consultant Neurologist at St George's University Hospitals and Kingston Hospital, he has spent decades working with patients and families affected by complex neurological conditions. His qualifications include a PhD on the immunology of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), demonstrating his deep scientific understanding of neurodegenerative conditions.
His previous leadership roles have also prepared him for the national position. From 2019 to 2024, he was the Clinical Director of the NHS London Dementia Clinical Network, where he successfully implemented extensive quality improvement programmes. During this time, he was responsible for establishing the London Memory Service Network, leading audits, and redesigning care pathways, showcasing his ability to lead and innovate on a regional scale. His clinical and academic expertise is further highlighted by his work as an Honorary Reader in Neurology at St George’s, University of London, where he co-directs the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience Practice.
Dr. Isaacs's Priorities for Dementia Care
Since stepping into his role, Dr. Isaacs has already made his priorities clear. In a statement following his appointment, he acknowledged the progress made by the NHS since the first national dementia strategy in 2009, particularly in increasing access to a diagnosis. His key focus is now on ensuring the quality of post-diagnosis care.
- Improving post-diagnosis care: Dr. Isaacs aims to ensure that best practices for care following a dementia diagnosis are available to everyone, regardless of their location. This covers the entire dementia journey, from early stages to more complex needs.
- Leveraging technology for care: The use of new technologies, such as the MinderCare system, is an area of focus. These innovations can help monitor patient routines at home, ensuring safety and allowing people to live independently for longer.
- Collaborating with national stakeholders: Working with organisations like the Alzheimer's Society and Dementia Community is crucial for advancing shared goals and improving services across the sector.
- Addressing health inequalities: His academic work has included addressing structural inequalities in clinical neurosciences, a perspective that informs his national strategy to ensure equitable access to care.
The Broader Context of NHS Mental Health Leadership
It is important to understand the National Clinical Director's role within the wider framework of NHS leadership. Dr. Isaacs’s focus on dementia and older people’s mental health sits alongside other key figures who oversee different aspects of mental healthcare.
| Role | Focus Area | Incumbent (as of 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| National Clinical Director | Dementia and Older People's Mental Health | Dr. Jeremy Isaacs |
| Medical Director | Mental Health and Neurodiversity | Dr. Adrian James |
| National Clinical Director | Older People and Integrated Personalised Care | Tom Downes |
This table illustrates how expertise is distributed to ensure comprehensive coverage of complex health needs. Dr. Isaacs's work on dementia is complemented by Dr. Adrian James's oversight of broader mental health and neurodiversity issues, as well as Tom Downes’s focus on integrated care for older people. This collaborative structure ensures a coordinated approach to improving patient outcomes.
A Commitment to Transformative Care
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs represents a strong commitment from NHS England to the continued improvement of dementia and older people's mental health services. His leadership, based on deep clinical knowledge and a proven track record of regional transformation, is vital for driving national change. By focusing on critical areas such as best practice for post-diagnostic care and embracing innovative technologies, his work aims to enhance the quality of life for a large and vulnerable population.
For more information on the structure of NHS England's leadership and various clinical director roles, you can visit the official NHS England website.
Conclusion
Dr. Jeremy Isaacs serves as the National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People's Mental Health at NHS England, a role he began in May 2024. His extensive background as a neurologist and his prior experience leading the NHS London Dementia Clinical Network equip him to spearhead national efforts to enhance the quality of care for people living with dementia. The role involves guiding national policy, promoting best clinical practice, and driving service transformation to meet the needs of an ageing population, ensuring better outcomes throughout the entire dementia journey.
