HCA UK appoints Medical Director for The Harborne Hospital

HCA Healthcare UK (HCA UK) has appointed Mr Simon Radley as Medical Director for The Harborne Hospital – a new multi-specialty private hospital opening in Birmingham in 2024.

Simon has over 37 years’ experience within the healthcare industry, specialising in general and colorectal surgery. During this time, he has played a key role in introducing new surgical protocols and techniques to the University Hospital Birmingham, and was instrumental in setting up the Birmingham Bowel Clinic; the first private centre of excellence for managing bowel conditions in the West Midlands.

In his new role at The Harborne Hospital, Simon will be responsible for providing medical leadership, supporting the Consultant body and – along with the leadership team - creating a progressive and inclusive culture within the hospital.

In terms of clinical service delivery, Simon will work closely with The Harborne Hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, Claire Hubbard, to actively promote a culture of quality, improvement and learning within its workforce.

Simon’s medical training began at Birmingham University Medical School, where he graduated with Honours in Surgery. Having completed basic surgical training, Simon undertook a period of research into colorectal cancer for which he was awarded an MD by the University of Birmingham.

He continued surgical training in general surgery in the West Midlands, before completing specialist colorectal surgical training at St. Marks Hospital in London. During this time, Simon undertook an overseas travelling fellowship to the USA, to study treatments for rectal cancer, having been awarded grants from the International College of Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons of England. On completion of Simon’s training, he took up a post as Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Surgeon in Colorectal Surgery at Birmingham University and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

In 2002, Simon became an NHS Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at University Hospital Birmingham, where he has remained since. In this role, he introduced new surgical techniques, surgical recovery protocols and robotic colorectal surgery to the hospital, to better patient care and treatment outcomes. Simon has held roles as clinical service and colorectal cancer  at UHB Queen Elizabeth Hospital. In recent times Simon has become increasingly involved in introducing ‘new’ consultants to private practice with an emphasis on building teams and partnerships, encouraging collegiate working within the independent sector.

Throughout his career, Simon has published widely on colorectal disease and in particular functional bowel disorders. He continues to participate in clinical trials and was Principal Investigator in Birmingham for the HUBBLE trial, a randomised trial to compare two methods of haemorrhoid treatment.

Simon’s appointment comes at an exciting time for HCA UK, as the organisation prepares to launch The Harborne Hospital to the public later this year – further enhancing its proud heritage of providing complex, medical care and longstanding partnerships with the NHS.
As a hub of medical and life sciences innovation, The Harborne Hospital in Birmingham continues HCA UK’s commitment to the care and improvement of human life, by making high-quality private care available to more patients.

Simon Radley, Medical Director for The Harborne Hospital, HCA Healthcare UK said: "Throughout my career, collaborating with the best clinicians to deliver patients the best treatment and care has always been paramount to me. This is an approach which I intend to carry through to my role as Medical Director at The Harborne Hospital.

The Harborne Hospital will offer comprehensive and specialist care across multiple disciplines, meaning we can provide support to those in the region at every stage of their healthcare journey."

Claire Smith, CEO of Joint Ventures, HCA Healthcare UK comments: "We warmly welcome Simon to HCA Healthcare UK, as The Harborne Hospital's new Medical Director. Simon’s extensive experience with launching new clinics, techniques and protocols, alongside his leadership and business background, will support our commitment to having ‘exceptional people, delivering exceptional care’. Simon was trained in Birmingham and has continued to work in the region for the majority of his career, so we can think of no one better to lead and manage the hospital’s highly qualified workforce."