Charles Gutteridge appointed as national clinical director for informatics

Charles Gutteridge has been named as the first national clinical director for informatics.

In a statement, the Department of Health explained that Mr Gutteridge, who has held the position of medical director at Barts and the London Trust since 2002, will take up his new role later this month.

Mr Gutteridge chaired the Association of UK University Hospitals Medical Directors and also played a role in providing clinical advice to the review of health provision in London by Lord Darzi.

Commenting on the news, Christine Connelly, director general for informatics at the Department of Health, said that the body is “delighted” to have someone with the calibre of Mr Gutteridge as a member of the team.

“He can provide leadership, ensuring we have clinical support as we implement change to benefit patients,” she added.

In other news from the department, it has recently published proposals that would allow for the dispensation of generic medicines instead of their branded counterparts in primary care.