Professor Fahad Rizvi: Pioneering a Compassionate Revolution in Healthcare
As the healthcare landscape grapples with escalating challenges like access disparities, soaring costs, and dwindling resources, healthcare professionals find themselves at a crucial crossroads, tasked with elevating the standard of care for an increasingly diverse patient base.
At the vanguard of this crucial transformation stands Professor Fahad Rizvi, a visionary leader whose odyssey through the world of healthcare is a powerful narrative of resilience and ingenuity.
A Trailblazer in Integrated Health Solutions
Professor Fahad Rizvi’s journey began in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where he was born to parents who prioritized education for their children as they both themselves were government school teachers and understood the importance of good education. They ensured that even during challenging times, the family values of learning and hard work remained strong. As the middle child with an elder brother and a younger sister, he attended St Mary’s Academy in Meerut Cantonment, where his educational foundation was established amidst modest means.
After completing his MBBS and Diploma in Anaesthesia from AMU in India, he moved to the UK two decades ago with Rs 10,000 which converted to £116 as his total savings to start a new life. After struggling for 6 months, Fahad secured his first job in Trauma and Orthopaedics followed by many other 4-6 monthly posts as per the job duration at that time. He submitted almost 400 applications to secure 1 job every 6 months. After 7 years of this surgical career all over the UK amidst the arrival of his 3 children made him re-think his career choices. The desire to provide comprehensive patient care and enhance health outcomes, he transitioned from surgical training to General Practice, where he could have a broader impact on community health. He successfully completed his MRCS and MRCGP during his training years.
Fahad’s commitment to teaching further exemplifies his vision of nurturing future healthcare professionals and bridging the gap between specialists and generalists. Through his journey Fahad embodies the principles instilled in him by his parents, combining his deep-rooted values with a passion for innovation in healthcare. Apart from his roles in various Universities and national organisations, he is currently the Director for Willows Health and Clinical Lead for the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) for Leicester City.
Community-Centric Surgical Innovation
Fahad’s extensive surgical experience over 20 NHS hospitals followed by General Practice training has significantly shaped his current practice. This integration allows him to perform minor surgical procedures within the community, effectively blending his background as a surgeon with the holistic approach of general practice.
This community-based approach not only increases accessibility for patients but also streamlines care, leading to improved health outcomes. Moving surgical procedures into community settings facilitates quicker recovery times, with waiting times as short as one week compared to over a year for similar procedures in hospitals. This model, known as the “left shift” of NHS activity, has resulted in increased patient satisfaction while also saving money for the NHS—providing these services at half the cost of traditional hospital settings. Through his innovative approach, Professor Rizvi exemplifies the benefits of integrating surgical skills into general practice, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for patients. He has published papers on this model, the most recent being on the effectiveness of delivering trigger finger release surgery in community settings.
Paving New Pathways in Healthcare Innovation
While implementing various pilots and initiatives in Leicester, naming a few like early cancer detection, NHS 111 First triage service, TB case finding, Fracture clinic pathways, Same day emergency care, COVID hot hubs, Acute Respiratory Illness in children and the award-winning chronic kidney disease management using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, Professor Fahad Rizvi faced several key challenges. These included operational hurdles, resistance to change from various stakeholders, and the need for integration across diverse services such as general practice, hospitals, community clinics, public health, city and county councils, and voluntary organizations.
To overcome these challenges, Professor Rizvi employed effective communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among all parties involved. By fostering a culture of strong clinical leadership, compassion, and a friendly approach, he was able to build trust and encourage buy-in from stakeholders. Additionally, he implemented comprehensive training programs to ensure that staff were equipped to adapt to the new systems and practices, demonstrating the value and importance of integrated care in addressing complex health needs.
Cultivating Compassionate Healers
Professor Rizvi’s teaching philosophy is centred around excellence and compassion. He believes in creating a fun-filled, interactive learning environment that engages his students and clinicians effectively. He teaches medical, nursing and pharmacy students and physicians associates. By mixing his passions of teaching and operating, he not only imparts knowledge but also makes the learning experience enjoyable and relatable.
He engages and inspires students through hands-on learning and the use of modern tools, employing lateral teaching techniques that go beyond traditional subjects while remaining relevant to their medical education. By sharing his own journey and experiences, Professor Rizvi instils the values of integrity and dedication to medical practice in future generations. His approach encourages curiosity and resilience, fostering a culture of continuous learning where students are motivated to explore and develop their skills in a supportive atmosphere. Through this innovative blend of motivational methods, he prepares the next generation of healthcare professionals to excel in their careers.
Fostering an Enriching Learning Environment
The Willows Academy was formed as an integral part of the universities in Leicester to provide high-quality medical and allied healthcare related education across its 11 sites in the region. The mission of the academy is to create a supportive and enriching learning environment that equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their future careers.
With a wide team of well-experienced tutors, the Willows Academy offers students access to GP and specialist clinics, ensuring they receive comprehensive exposure to various healthcare settings and practices. This structure allows for flexibility in learning, accommodating the diverse needs and schedules of students.
Fahad is currently working on international exchange of students and education with Universities and Colleges in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, India and China.
Advocating for a Unified Healthcare Approach
Professor Fahad Rizvi champions a system-wide approach to health and social care, recognizing its transformative potential in regions like Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, where the annual funding totals £1.2 billion. He understands the pressing challenges of balancing this substantial budget, particularly in a framework where health and social care services remain free for all patients, encompassing everything from consultations and investigations to surgeries and hospital admissions.
In Professor Rizvi’s vision, integrated care is essential for meeting the holistic needs of patients. This model optimizes operations and fosters collaboration among various services, paving the way for enhanced patient care and improved health outcomes. By advocating for innovative resource use, he aims to eliminate duplication of care and ensure that patients receive timely attention in appropriate settings.
He emphasizes the importance of aligning the priorities of stakeholders—including public health officials, councils, and health and wellbeing boards—to unify resources effectively. This strategic integration not only maximizes efficiency but also elevates the overall quality of care provided to the community, tackling the complex challenges that the NHS faces today. Through his insights, Professor Rizvi illustrates how a cohesive healthcare framework can lead to a healthier, more resilient population.
Striving for a More Resilient Healthcare System
Leicester’s unique and diverse population comprises 60% ethnic minorities with over 80 languages spoken in the city with a population of just over 1 million. There is a huge demand for increased funding in community-based services, mental health resources, and preventive care initiatives for bridging gaps in accessibility and promoting health equity among marginalized groups.
Additionally, prioritizing mental health resources is crucial, considering the diverse challenges faced by the community, including stressors related to socio-economic deprivation and cultural differences.
Preventive care initiatives are really important, as they can educate the population about health and well-being, ultimately reducing the incidence of chronic illnesses. By addressing these specific areas, investments can significantly enhance overall quality of care and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the support they need to lead healthier lives. This comprehensive approach not only improves individual health outcomes but also contributes to a more resilient healthcare system in the whole of the UK.
Transforming Turmoil
The primary challenges currently facing the NHS include access of care, long wait times and a significant lack of resources. Additionally, there is an ongoing issue where experienced healthcare professionals leave the country for better opportunities elsewhere. These challenges collectively hinder the ability of the NHS to provide timely and effective care to patients.
To address these issues, innovative models of care are essential. This can include improving resilience throughout the healthcare system through strategies like tariff-based payment systems that incentivise efficiency. Front-loading primary care is crucial as this can provide more comprehensive and timely help therefore reducing pressure on secondary care services, ultimately decreasing wait times for more specialised treatments.
Additionally, fostering collaboration across services will create a more cohesive healthcare ecosystem that can better navigate the complexities of patient care. By implementing these solutions, the NHS can enhance its capacity to serve patients, improve overall health outcomes, and maintain a stable workforce dedicated to delivering high-quality care.
Hallmarks of Excellence
Receiving awards such as the recent NRI Achievers Award for ‘Innovator of the Year in Healthcare 2024’, the GP Registrar of the Year during his training, the RCGP Award that allowed him to travel to France along with the Clinical Teaching Excellence Award serves as significant recognition of Professor Rizvi’s commitment to patient care and education. Additionally, his appearances in BBC television, radio, podcasts and print media highlight the broader impact of his work in medical education.
These accolades signify not just personal achievement, but also the collective efforts of his colleagues, mentors, and family throughout his journey. The awards reflect the dedication and hard work invested by everyone involved in advancing healthcare and medical education.
One of his mentors quoted “The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) motto, “scientia cum caritas” which translates to “knowledge with charity”, perfectly encapsulates Fahad’s approach to medicine. He merges deep medical expertise with an innate sense of kindness and care. In my view, he is the epitome of what a medical professional should aspire to be”.
He acknowledges that “behind every successful man is a woman,” and he is fortunate to have the support of four remarkable women in his life: his wife, Dr. Mehar Ahson, a Consultant Anaesthetist and Training Programme Director for the East Midlands, along with his three beautiful daughters, Zara, Zoya and Safa. Their encouragement and strength are vital to his journey and have played an integral role in his achievements.
Empowering Communities, Elevating Care
Professor Rizvi was inspired to develop the RCGP-accredited minor surgery course by his passion for teaching and surgery combined with his extensive experience in hospitals, general practice management, and a system-wide approach to healthcare. Recognizing a significant skills gap in surgical procedures among community healthcare practitioners, he sought to create a comprehensive training program to address this need.
The course has had a profound impact on practitioners across the UK, as he has taught over 2,000 doctors and allied healthcare staff. It is highly sought after course and has proven to be very popular, with one attendee remarking, “I would have attended this course even if I had to travel to the moon”. The curriculum is engaging and motivational, covering not only the technical aspects of surgery but also essential components such as finances, legal considerations and the logistics of setting up or expanding the service.
By offering such a well-rounded educational experience, Professor Rizvi has significantly enhanced the capabilities of healthcare practitioners, contributing to the improvement of community-based surgical services. His course empowers them to provide high-quality care closer to home, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and increased satisfaction within the healthcare system.
General Practice as the Cornerstone of Community Wellness
The future of General Practice in the UK is poised to evolve significantly, particularly considering recent challenges of poor access and funding. General Practice only receives 10% of the national funding when it delivers 90% of patient contacts. To survive the rising costs of running a practice one should work at scale and optimise integration of healthcare delivery. Fahad emphasises the importance of a “left shift” of activity, which aims to move care closer to home and away from costly hospital settings, thereby ensuring that patients receive timely and effective care within their communities.
In this shifting paradigm, GPs will likely play a pivotal role as coordinators of care, working collaboratively with hospitals and multidisciplinary teams to address both acute and complex patient needs. General Practice continue to adapt and ensures that it meets the demands of a diverse and evolving patient population while enhancing the quality of care provided across the UK. The integration of technology and community-focused approaches will be essential in delivering effective and innovative healthcare solutions that are both patient-centred and sustainable.
Continuous Quest for Excellence
Professor Rizvi advises aspiring healthcare professionals to consider a career in General Practice for its many rewarding aspects. He believes that being a GP offers a satisfying career, where practitioners are often addressed by their patients as “my doctor”, highlighting the trusted and personal relationships formed over time. The flexibility of the profession allows for an excellent work-life balance, with the opportunity to choose one’s own working hours and areas of specialism based on personal interests. Additionally, there is room to change and develop a portfolio career, which can include various roles and responsibilities within or even outside the healthcare system.
Working as a GP often means being part of small teams that foster strong rapport, creating a family-like atmosphere away from home. This camaraderie not only enhances job satisfaction but also contributes to a supportive work environment.
Professor Rizvi also emphasizes the importance of education in healthcare, believing in the saying, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He recognizes the vital role that current healthcare professionals have in imparting knowledge and training the next generation. He encourages young professionals to embrace this responsibility and strive for excellence, as they will play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare.