The Health Foundation today announces that Dr Jason Leitch, Clinical Lecturer in Oral Surgery and Sedation at the University of Glasgow Dental School, has been selected as one of three new Quality Improvement Fellows. As a fellow, he will spend twelve months based at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in the United States and will study at the Harvard University School of Public Health.

Through its Quality Improvement Fellowship award scheme, The Health Foundation is developing a group of senior clinical leaders with the experience, drive and ability to lead quality improvement in healthcare at the highest levels. The prestigious scheme, delivered in partnership with the IHI in Boston, fast-tracks fellows through a learning process that combines academic work with practical skills. Upon returning to the UK, fellows are expected to take up positions that enable them to lead quality and performance improvements in the NHS.

Dr Leitch will focus on patient safety during his fellowship. In particular, he will continue his research into a novel form of sedation, where the patient has control of the drug. The ultimate aim is to develop a safer and more effective alternative to general anaesthesia and current sedation methods and to improve pain and anxiety control for dental patients.

Dr Leitch said: "Patients still die in primary and secondary care because of poor sedation provision. The Health Foundation Quality Improvement Fellowship award will allow me to make contact with a number of dental schools to form collaborations and test out a safer, higher quality sedation method. As well as further enhancing my research skills it will also give me the opportunity to network and improve my leadership skills. Ultimately, I am hoping to use the experience gained from the fellowship to develop a standardised approach to sedation care in Europe and the UK."

The three fellows will commence work in Boston from July 2005 onwards. The Health Foundation will support three further Quality Improvement Fellowships in 2006 and application details will be available from 11 July 2005. The Foundation provides fellows with an allowance to support relocation, travel, visa and US healthcare costs, as well as providing replacement staff costs for their employing organisation. For more information about the award scheme, visit Health Foundation website.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For more details please contact Mike Findlay in the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535.

Alternatively contact Jo Parish Media and Communications Officer at the Health Foundation on 020 7257 8017 or 07799 627 125.

First published: 14 June 2005