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The role of national clinical directors

  • Last modified date:
    20 October 2008

National clinical directors and advisors - sometimes referred to as Tsars - are experts that each oversee the implementation of a national service framework (NSF) or major clinical or service strategy.

A national clinical director's role is to spearhead change

They act as advocates for the NSFs or strategy within the NHS and other services, and represent the NHS and other services in the Department of Health.

National clinical directors and advisors work with policy and delivery teams, clinical networks and the NHS management community to achieve joined up action. In their role they also:

  • visit health and social care practitioners
  • chair taskforces with health and social care professionals and health service managers
  • work with the Royal Colleges to ensure that changes in health and social services are reflected in training and education
  • chair taskforces to develop national service frameworks that bring together health professionals, service users and carers, health service managers, partner agencies, and other advocates.

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