Nick Harding
{{short description|British general practitioner}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
Nick Harding (born 21 December 1969) is a British general practitioner and Chief Medical Officer at Operose Health.
Education
Harding qualified in medicine from the University of Birmingham in 1994. Before, during and after this time he undertook research in a number of areas which formed a basis for his future interest in continuous improvement of quality and safety in clinical settings.{{cite conference |title=Taurine and its potential in the treatment of tinnitus |author1=Harding NJ |author2=Donaldson I |author3=Davies WE |editor1=Aran JM |editor2=Dauman R |conference=Tinnitus 91- proceedings of the 4th International Tinnitus Seminar |place=Amsterdam |publisher=Kugler |pages=123–126 |year=1992}}{{cite journal |last1=Thomson |first1=WH |last2=Harding |first2=NJ |last3=Mills |first3=A |last4=Warren |first4=H |last5=Harding |first5=LK |title=Two waiting rooms or one? |journal=Eur J Nucl Med. |year=1989 |volume=15 |pages=570}}{{cite journal |title=What is the radiation hazard in nuclear medicine waiting rooms? |last1=Harding |first1=LK |last2=Harding |first2=NJ |last3=Mills |first3=A |last4=Warren |first4=H |last5=Thomson |first5=WH |journal=Nuclear Medicine Communications |volume=10 |pages=252–253 |year=1989}}{{cite journal|last1=Harding|first1=L. K.|last2=Harding|first2=N. J.|last3=Warren|first3=H.|last4=Mills|first4=A.|last5=Thomson|first5=W. H.|title=The radiation dose to accompanying nurses, relatives and other patients in a nuclear medicine department waiting room|journal=Nuclear Medicine Communications|date=1 January 1990|volume=11|issue=1|pages=17–22|issn=0143-3636|pmid=2338965|doi=10.1097/00006231-199001000-00004|s2cid=20975840}}{{cite book |chapter=Radiation doses in nuclear medicine waiting rooms |author1=Thomson WH |author2=Harding NJ |author3=Mills A |author4=Warren H |author5=Harding LK |editor1=Hoefer R |editor2=Bergman H |editor3=Sinzinger H |title=Radioaktive Isotope in Klinic und Forschung |place=Stuttgart |publisher=Schattauer |pages=151–157 |year=1991}}
Career
Harding has worked in inner-city Birmingham for more than 30 years. As a general practitioner and a medical educator, Harding has been an RCGP examiner and trainer for many years, involved in assessing national standards for general practice. He has held a number of national roles, including Senior Clinical Advisor to NHS England and NHS Improvement for RightCare and Integrated Care,{{Cite web|title=Professor Nick Harding OBE joins NHS RightCare|url=https://www.england.nhs.uk/rightcare/2018/08/14/professor-nick-harding-obe-joins-nhs-rightcare/|date=14 August 2018|website=NHS England|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411000733/https://www.england.nhs.uk/rightcare/2018/08/14/professor-nick-harding-obe-joins-nhs-rightcare/|url-status=live}} a member of the Health Education Advisory Group, member of the Nuffield Trust Leadership Panel{{cite web|url=https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/health-leaders-panel |title=Health leaders' panellists |publisher=Nuffield Trust |date=2014-11-04 |access-date=2016-11-11}}{{Failed verification|date=May 2020}} and co-chair of the Specialised Commissioning task force.{{cite web |title=SHCA BRIEFING - SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING TASKFORCE – MAY 2014 |url=https://shca.info/perch/resources/shca-specialised-taskforce-briefing-201405.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023195807/http://www.shca.info/perch/resources/shca-specialised-taskforce-briefing-201405.pdf |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |url-status=dead}} He was a member of the General Advisory Panel for the King's Fund and is Chair elect for the Royal Society of Public Health (Sept 2025).
He has had a number of regional roles including being a member of the West Midlands Clinical Senate{{cite web |url=http://www.wmscnsenate.nhs.uk/clinical-senate/ |title=West Midlands Strategic Clinical Network and Senate :: Clinical Senate |publisher=Wmscnsenate.nhs.uk |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112025817/http://www.wmscnsenate.nhs.uk/clinical-senate/ |url-status=dead }} and was the appointed doctor to the Birmingham Crematorium from 1999 to 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Birmingham%20and%20Solihull%20LETC%20-%20Council%20Members.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112023755/https://hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Birmingham%20and%20Solihull%20LETC%20-%20Council%20Members.pdf |url-status=dead }}
In 2015 he created and sourced funding from Health Education West Midlands to support delivery of a new type of Primary Care Leadership development programme for future GP leaders.{{cite web |url=https://hee.nhs.uk/hee-your-area/west-midlands |title=West Midlands | Health Education England |publisher=Hee.nhs.uk |date=2016-09-27 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=28 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628211018/http://www.hee.nhs.uk/hee-your-area/west-midlands |url-status=dead }} More than 120 GPs successfully completed this one-year programme.{{Cite web|url=http://primarycareleaders.co.uk/|title=Step forward for a new kind of leadership programme|website=Primary Care Leadership Programme|publisher=Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group|access-date=27 June 2016|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119060436/http://primarycareleaders.co.uk/|url-status=dead}} This programme has been positively evaluated, and has been picked up nationally and implemented across England as the 'Next Generation GP' leadership programme. This has had several thousand participants in 5 years, {{When|date=November 2018}} with further programmes planned using resource support from NHS England and other organisations. Learning from the programme has been featured in a range of publications and podcasts, including a 2017 paper in Innovait, an RCGP journal aimed predominantly at GP trainees.{{Cite web|url=http://nextgenerationgp.wixsite.com/2017/press|title=Press for Next Generation GP|website=nextgenerationgp.wixsite.com|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104045945/http://nextgenerationgp.wixsite.com/2017/press|url-status=dead}}
Harding has published a range of clinical papers on radiation safety, application of cost-benefit analysis, patient communication, and on the threat of measles for the British Journal of General Practice.{{Cite journal|date=2018|title=Measles: is it still a threat?|journal=British Journal of General Practice|volume=68|issue=674|pages=404–405|doi=10.3399/bjgp18X697961|pmid=29970395|pmc=6104891|last1=Moten|first1=M.|last2=Phillips|first2=A.|last3=Saliba|first3=V.|last4=Harding|first4=N.|last5=Sibal|first5=B.}}
= Commissioning role =
Harding was the Chair of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which covers two local authority areas: the whole borough of Sandwell and the western part of the City of Birmingham.{{cite web|url=http://sandwellandwestbhamccg.nhs.uk/ |title=Home - Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG |publisher=Sandwellandwestbhamccg.nhs.uk |access-date=2016-11-11}} The CCG is a membership organisation involving 99 GP practices serving around 547,400 patients across the area. It is broken down further into five Local Commissioning Groups – Black Country, Healthworks, ICoF, Pioneers for Health and Sandwell Health Alliance – that address the needs of the population on a local level. The CCG has won Health Service Journal CCG of the Year 2013{{Cite web |url=http://www.hsj.co.uk/home/hsj-awards-2013-winners-announced/5065465.fullarticle |title=HSJ Awards 2013 winners announced | News | Health Service Journal |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116230255/https://www.hsj.co.uk/home/hsj-awards-2013-winners-announced/5065465.fullarticle |url-status=dead }} and 2015;{{Cite web |url=https://awards.hsj.co.uk/winners-2015 |title=Winners 2015 | HSJ Awards 2015 |access-date=22 August 2016 |archive-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226023458/https://awards.hsj.co.uk/winners-2015 |url-status=dead }} and General Practice Commissioners of the Year 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.generalpracticeawards.com/previous-awards/2014-evening/ |title=2014 Evening |publisher=General Practice Awards |date=2011-05-26 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=8 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708165500/http://www.generalpracticeawards.com/previous-awards/2014-evening/ |url-status=live }} It was rated as outstanding under NHS England's Improvement and Assessment Framework in 2016.{{cite web |title=CCG Assurance Annual Assessment 2015/16 |url=https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/07/annual-assessment-rep-2015-16-upd.pdf |access-date=11 July 2024}}
= Modality Partnership =
Harding was a founding partner in Modality Partnership{{Cite web |url=https://www.modalitypartnership.nhs.uk/ |title=Modality |website=www.modalitypartnership.nhs.uk |access-date=2016-06-21 |archive-date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701193232/https://www.modalitypartnership.nhs.uk/ |url-status=live }} (formerly known as Vitality), which brings together 49 practices for almost 460,000 patients as of 2025. The partnership has invested in technology so that patients are supported with advice from their healthcare team in a range of ways, including online, over the phone, on their mobile or by Skype.
This new type of super-partnership was referred to in the Kings Fund & Nuffield Trust's reviews of potential primary care models for the future.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/node/2764|title=New Models of Primary Care – Future General Practice {{!}} The Nuffield Trust|website=www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk|access-date=2016-06-21}} In 2015, Vitality was one of the vanguards of a new model of care, called multispecialty community providers.{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Neil |date=31 July 2015 |title=Vanguard sites to have seven-day service and merge GP and social care funding |url=http://www.gponline.com/vanguard-sites-seven-day-service-merge-gp-social-care-funding/article/1358399 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118223850/http://www.gponline.com/vanguard-sites-seven-day-service-merge-gp-social-care-funding/article/1358399 |archive-date=18 November 2016 |access-date= |website=GPonline}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=New care models |url=https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/futurenhs/new-care-models/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711043926/https://www.england.nhs.uk/2017/02/new-care-models/ |archive-date=11 July 2024 |access-date=2016-06-21 |website=NHS England}} The partnership has worked to improve primary care integration and at-scale quality of care in general practice, and it is widening{{When|date=January 2025}} this local model for integration with community, mental health and social care services.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Professor Harding continues to retain his clinical practice.
= Operose Health =
Harding joined Operose Health as Chief Medical Officer, his current role, in August 2019.https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-harding-49b01130 {{Self-published source|date=June 2022}} The company delivers primary care through its network of GP practices, Primary Care Hubs, ED Streaming Services and Urgent Care Services. He has overseen growth of Operose Health to cover 700,000 patients at 82 sites as of January 2025.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Honours
Harding was recognised with a Queen's award OBE in June 2015 for services to primary care,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-queens-birthday-honours-2015|title=The Queen's Birthday Honours 2015 - Press releases|website=GOV.UK|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=20 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720003617/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-queens-birthday-honours-2015|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/12/queens-birthday-honours-list-2015-obe|title=Queen's birthday honours list 2015: OBE|agency=Press Association|date=2015-06-12|website=The Guardian|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=4 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304060328/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/12/queens-birthday-honours-list-2015-obe|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.gponline.com/gps-recognised-2015-queens-birthday-honours-including-seven-day-gp-pioneer/article/1351393|title=GPs recognised in 2015 Queen's birthday honours including seven-day GP pioneer|website=GPonline|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=19 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619143116/http://www.gponline.com/gps-recognised-2015-queens-birthday-honours-including-seven-day-gp-pioneer/article/1351393|url-status=live}} and was awarded an honorary professorship from Aston University{{Cite web|url=http://www.greatbarrobserver.co.uk/passionate-building-better-nhs-8211-sandwell/story-28724284-detail/story.html|title=Chair of Sandwell NHS Clinical Commissioning Group takes up role at Aston University|date=2016-02-13|website=Great Barr Observer|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118223957/http://www.greatbarrobserver.co.uk/passionate-building-better-nhs-8211-sandwell/story-28724284-detail/story.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://sandwellandwestbhamccg.nhs.uk/news-a-events/1334-honorary-professorship-for-birmingham-gp-for-services-to-primary-care|title=Honorary Professorship for Birmingham GP for services to primary care - Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119055140/http://sandwellandwestbhamccg.nhs.uk/news-a-events/1334-honorary-professorship-for-birmingham-gp-for-services-to-primary-care|url-status=dead}} for his work in helping to establish the Aston Medical School. He was also named in the Health Service Journal top 100 clinical leaders of 2015,{{Cite web |url=http://www.hsj.co.uk/hsj-knowledge/top-leader-lists/clinical-leaders/hsj-clinical-leaders-2015/5087348.fullarticle |title=HSJ Clinical Leaders 2015 | Supplements | Health Service Journal |access-date=24 June 2016 |archive-date=16 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316042845/http://www.hsj.co.uk/hsj-knowledge/top-leader-lists/clinical-leaders/hsj-clinical-leaders-2015/5087348.fullarticle |url-status=dead }} 2016{{Cite web|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/hsj-knowledge/top-leader-lists/hsj100|title=HSJ100 - the annual list of the most influential people in health|website=Health Service Journal|access-date=2016-10-13|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119055738/https://www.hsj.co.uk/hsj-knowledge/top-leader-lists/hsj100|url-status=dead}} and 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/hsj100/hsj100-the-list-in-full/7021245.article|title=HSJ100: The list in full|website=Health Service Journal|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104165930/https://www.hsj.co.uk/hsj100/hsj100-the-list-in-full/7021245.article|url-status=live}} He has an honorary Membership of the Faculty of Public Health and an honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (June 2016). He holds Fellowship of the Royal Society of Public Health and is a trustee.
Personal life and influences
Harding has supported charity work in Malawi, working with local communities to improve health through education and sustained development.{{Cite journal|last=Harding|first=Nick|date=2011|title=Dalitso Health|journal=Aesculapius|volume=26 |pages=67–70}} He attributes his interest in public health, patient safety and the provision of quality healthcare to his parents and grandfather, all of whom were in the medical profession. Harding's grandfather, Dr Colin Starkie, was the director of public health for Kidderminster{{Cite journal|last=Group|first=British Medical Journal Publishing|date=2016-08-17|title=Nick Harding: Happiest working for health in Malawi|url=http://www.bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i4445|journal=BMJ|language=en|volume=354|pages=i4445|doi=10.1136/bmj.i4445|issn=1756-1833|pmid=27535585|s2cid=42419127|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006013900/http://www.bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i4445|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} and worked with political leaders to introduce the Clean Air Act 1956. His father, Dr Keith Harding, founded the Nuclear Medicine Department at Birmingham City Hospital in 1973.{{cite web |url=http://www.swbh.nhs.uk/media/news/opening-of-1-4-million-gamma-camera-suite/ |title=Opening of £1.4 million gamma camera suite | Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals |publisher=Swbh.nhs.uk |date=2013-11-26 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112021044/http://www.swbh.nhs.uk/media/news/opening-of-1-4-million-gamma-camera-suite/ |url-status=live }}