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[The following Press Release was issued by the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH on 29 January 2007]

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW TSAR FOR RENAL SERVICES

A new ‘tsar’ has been appointed at the Department of Health to help lead government policy on renal services.

Dr Donal O’Donoghue, of the Hope Hospital in Salford, takes up his post with imediate effect.

Dr O’Donoghue has been a consultant renal physician at Salford Royal Hospitals Foundation Trust since 1992. He has been President of the British Renal Society and Treasurer of the Renal Association.

Dr O’Donoghue was involved with the development of the Renal Services National Service Framework which was published in 2004. Since this time he has also supported its implementation, in particular through his role as co-chair of the Renal Advisory Group.

Hugh Taylor, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, welcomed Dr O’Donoghue to his new role. He said:

“We are delighted that a clinician of Dr O’Donoghue’s standing has agreed to lead our work on renal services. We have already seen improvement in patient care and support for family carers since we launched the Renal Services National Service Framework, but there is still more work to do. I am sure that Dr O’Donoghue will play a vital role in harnessing enthusiasm from healthcare workers in order to continue improving our services.”

Dr O’Donoghue said:

“I feel privileged to be leading the implementation of the next phase of the Renal Services National Service Framework. There is no question the NSF is already helping to raise awareness of kidney disease as a public health challenge, and I will be working to promote a world class service for patients.”

Career background of Dr Donal O’Donoghue:

• Graduated in Physiology (1977) and Medicine (1980) from Manchester Medical School. General Professional training in Manchester, Leicester and Nottingham. Specialist renal training in Manchester, Paris and Edinburgh.
• MRC Research Fellow.
• Consultant Renal Physician, Salford Royal Hospitals Foundation Trust from 1992.
• President of the British Renal Society 2000-2003
• Treasurer of the Renal Association 2003-2006
• Co-Chair of the External Reference Group for the Renal NSF 2003/2004
• Co-Chair of the Renal Advisory Group for the implementation of the National Service Framework for Renal Services 2004

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