Distinguished general practitioner, Dr Salman Shahid, hailing from Greater Manchester, has been bestowed with the esteemed designation of Local NHS Champion by the Health Secretary.
Dr Shahid, an experienced GP serving the Middleton Rochdale Borough and also serving as the Associate Medical Director of the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Integrated Care Partnership, was presented with this prestigious accolade by Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, at an exclusive ceremony held at 10 Downing Street last week.
The proposal to acknowledge Dr Shahid’s contributions was put forth by Chris Clarkson, the Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, who has been closely collaborating with Dr Shahid on numerous initiatives within the region. Impressed by Dr Shahid’s accomplishments, Mr Clarkson aimed to highlight them on the parliamentary stage.
Upon announcing this special recognition, Health Secretary Steve Barclay expressed, “The NHS has undergone significant transformations in the past 75 years. Today, patients are 80% less likely to succumb to cardiovascular disease compared to 1948. Back then, the NHS employed 144,000 personnel, whereas now it boasts a workforce of 1.4 million. In 1948, its budget stood at £11 billion, but today it exceeds £180 billion. However, two things have remained constant: the exceptional healthcare professionals who provide top-quality care for patients, and the fact that healthcare is free at the point of use. These are the principles we gather here today to celebrate.”
Dr Salman Shahid, based in Middleton, serves as a GP and fervently advocates for an integrated model of health and social care. Together with his team, Dr Shahid has actively collaborated with community and voluntary services at the local level to address the challenges of poverty, isolation, loneliness, and deprivation.
Dr Shahid remarked, “I am immensely honored by this distinction and I extend my gratitude to Mr Clarkson and the government. However, it is important to emphasise that we operate as a cohesive team in Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale, and this recognition is a testament to their unwavering dedication and relentless efforts in making our borough a better place for all.”
