Paul GrundyA brain surgeon based at Southampton's teaching hospitals has received one of the health service's most prestigious national honours.
Paul Grundy, a consultant neurosurgeon at Southampton General Hospital, was named clinical leader of the year at the Health Service Journal Awards 2012 – where judges described him as an "innovator".
During his time as clinical lead for neurosciences at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, he has overseen the creation of a neuro-oncology surgical fellow post to increase capacity for brain tumour patients and reduce waiting times for outpatients and surgery.
He also led the development of day-of-surgery admission with pre-assessment of elective cases and the opening of an eight-bed unit which has the lowest length of stay for neurosurgery in the country.
In addition to the individual prize, the research and development team at UHS collected the award for progressive research culture following a year which saw the Trust, in partnership with the University of Southampton, become the third highest recruiting to National Institute for Health Research portfolio studies and secure a further £27m investment.
Mark Hackett, chief executive of UHS, said: "Both of these awards are truly fantastic achievements and I feel extremely honoured and proud to work alongside such passionate, driven and model professionals.