Professor Dan Clark, IFMBE/HTAD Treasurer, Head of Clinical Engineering at Nottingham University Hospitals, has been awarded with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen, in the New Year 2021 Honours List, for services to Clinical Engineering, particularly during Covid-19.

Here is the original press release from his hospital:

Dan’s incredible recognition comes at a time during which he not only led Nottingham University Hospital’s response to the equipment needed to deal with Covid-19 locally, but also led nationally, on behalf of his professional body, working with the Cabinet Office, the RAF, NHS England/ Improvement and the Department of Health and Social Care, to establish a national technical due diligence team evaluating non-standard ventilators and infusion devices brought in rapidly to support the NHS Covid-19 patient surge.

Dr Keith Girling, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: “This is a fantastic tribute to Dan’s incredible career in which he has dedicated himself to improving care for patients through his work in Clinical Engineering.

“Dan’s work through the Covid-19 pandemic has been exceptional both in the Trust and nationally and it is excellent to see it being recognised in this way.”

A 35 year-long NHS career has seen Dan working in healthcare technology in Newcastle, Leicester and for the last 20 years here in Nottingham where he leads our Clinical Engineering team.

Having developed a strong national and international reputation in healthcare technology management and innovation, he’s taken senior roles in the field, including being the current Vice President International of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, spending 10 years supporting the NICE Medical Technology Programme and being a member of the Founders’ Council of the Global Clinical Engineering Alliance.

Dan holds an honorary Chair at the University of Nottingham where he brings his NHS experience to help support the development of technologies of the future.

Dan’s dedication to providing high quality care to patients has been evident throughout his career but never more so than during the exceptional times of the recent pandemic.

His team at NUH responded magnificently to the unprecedented demand for medical equipment to support the surge in patients during the first Covid-19 wave and he also led nationally to ensure that the thousands of items of exotic medical equipment brought in from all over the world were assessed for their suitability before being deployed into the NHS.

Dan said: “I am truly shocked and humbled to receive this award. It’s been a difficult year, for sure, but also one where I’ve continuously been inspired by the team around me.

“Their response to the challenges has been simply incredible and it is their skill, their effort and their courage that is really being recognised in this award.  I’ve always been passionate about the benefits that technology brings to patient care and proud to play a small part in the team improving healthcare through innovation.

“This year, more than ever before, I’ve seen the value of engineers, scientists and technologists to ensure our clinical colleagues can deliver the care patients need. I’ve never been prouder of the work we all do.”

Claire Greaves, Chief Scientist at NUH commented:“I am so pleased that Dan’s dedication, hard work and leadership have been recognised in this way. Dan and the Clinical Engineering team at NUH have played a pivotal role in increasing our ability to care for our patients throughout the pandemic and this, in itself, is a significant achievement.

“On top of this, Dan worked with regional and national colleagues to establish and lead a team supporting the evaluation of novel medical devices such as ventilators so that these could be deployed across our hospitals and used safely for clinical care.

“I would echo Dan’s comment, that this pandemic has highlighted the important contribution that all our Healthcare Scientists make, providing and supporting patient care. It is fabulous to see this work being recognised in this way.”

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