Dr Nigel Acheson becomes new patron of FORCE

Dr Nigel Acheson is the new Patron of Exeter-based FORCE Cancer Charity.

He becomes only its fourth patron after former diplomat Sir Anthony Parsons, FORCE co-founder Chris Rowland and Martin Cooper, the former Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Medical Director who died last year.

“It is an enormous privilege to become Patron of FORCE,” said Dr Acheson, who will also continue as a trustee of the charity which supports anyone locally affected by cancer.

“I know from my time as a cancer specialist how FORCE provides support to patients and their families, as a researcher how committed the charity is to supporting innovation, improvements and research which will help patients here, and as a trustee over the last five years what a fantastic team we have working across the county to make FORCE such a success in supporting those who use the facilities and services that we provide.

“I particularly look forward to getting out and about to meet those who fundraise so effectively for FORCE.

“Without them, it would not be possible to provide the services that are so important for those living with and beyond their cancer diagnosis.”

Dr Acheson is Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals for the Care Quality Commission, which regulates health and social care in England.

He is responsible for the delivery of the CQC hospital inspection programme across London and the South of England.

Before that he was Regional Medical Director for NHS England’s South Region, which stretches from Cornwall to Kent and covers a population of 13.4 million.

Despite the huge demands of these high profile roles, Dr Acheson retains a firm commitment to FORCE.

He trained in Birmingham and moved to Exeter in 2004 as a consultant gynaecological oncologist to work alongside John Renninson and his team in building the RD&E’s gynaecological cancer service.

A background in research into ovarian cancer also led him to work with Dr Jackie Whatmore from the University of Exeter Medical School on a project funded by FORCE.

Dr Acheson has always been passionate about patient care and is a consistent champion of clinical safety and quality, matched by a strong interest in health service governance.

He brings not only clinical expertise to his role as a FORCE trustee and patron but also offers invaluable help and advice on the way the charity is run.

“In my work with the CQC I spend a lot of time judging whether organisations are good or outstanding, their focus on people, if they are compassionate and curious about how they can constantly improve.

“The good ones always want to be better tomorrow than they are today and those elements are represented in FORCE,” he said.

Dr Acheson was born in Belfast - his parents still live in Northern Ireland – but has a deep love of the West Country, fostered by visits to family in Devon.

He grabbed the opportunity to move here from the Midlands and join his brother, who was a GP in Exmouth and now works in the dermatology department at the RD&E.

He has four daughters, two of whom are currently studying medicine, and enjoys nothing more than kayaking in the Exe estuary.

When life is so busy though, something has to give, and Dr Acheson reckons his golf game has taken a hit – although a previous handicap of just 11 would suggest he’s no mean player.