- Chief executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation given honorary doctorate
- Dr Richard Kirby received award in recognition of his significant contribution to healthcare leadership
- He received the honour in recognition of his significant contribution to healthcare leadership.
The leader of one of the one of the largest specialist providers of community health services in the UK has received an honorary doctorate (DSc) from Aston University.
Dr Richard Kirby is the chief executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation, one of the largest specialist providers of community health services in the UK serving a population of more than 1.2 million people.
He received the honour in recognition of his significant contribution to healthcare leadership at a graduation ceremony held at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Wednesday 17 July, presided over by Aston University Chancellor Dr Jason Wouhra.
A graduate of the NHS management training scheme, Dr Kirby began his career working in primary care in Birmingham. After a series of posts in commissioning, strategy and performance management he moved to Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust where he led the development of new models of care and service configuration changes initially as director of strategy and then as chief operating officer.
Richard’s first chief executive post was at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, an integrated provider of acute and community services, of which its community services were rated “outstanding” in a CQC inspection in 2017.
After seven years in post, Richard took up his current role as chief executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) in March 2018. As one of the largest specialist community providers in the country the Trust is currently developing partnerships with primary care, mental health and social care to deliver integrated services. In August 2023, under Richard's leadership, the Trust’s CQC rating for children and young people improved from "Requires Improvement" to "Good."
Dr Kirby said:
“I am very honoured to receive this award from Aston University. At its heart healthcare is a team effort and I would like recognise the contribution of all my colleagues at Birmingham Community Healthcare for the care they provide for our patients. Our partnership with Aston University is vital to our ‘Best Care: Healthy Communities’ strategy helping us train and develop our future colleagues and deliver innovative approaches to care in the future.”
Professor Anthony Hilton, executive dean and pro-vice chancellor of the College of Health and Life Sciences said:
“Congratulations to Richard who, along his leadership team in BCHC, has been a strong supporter of the University and the College of Health and Life Sciences for a number of years.
“This includes particular support for our new nursing programme with a focus on placements in community care.”
In addition to his chief executive role, Richard is the lead officer for the Birmingham and Solihull Community Care Collaborative, vice-chair of the Community Network supported by NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, and a fellow of the international Sciana Health Leaders Network.
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About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming the Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
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