Eastbourne GP shortlisted for big award

NHS East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced that Dr Stephen Lytton had been shortlisted in the Clinical Leader of the Year category at the Health Service Journal Awards, set to take place virtually in March 2021.

Dr Lytton was nominated by his colleagues for his ‘outstanding professional and personal commitment’ to helping people with respiratory conditions.

As well as working as a GP and senior partner at the centre in Eastbourne, he is the GP respiratory clinical lead for East Sussex, and also trains and mentors other local clinicians.

Sussex NHS commissioners said Dr Lytton has also been a loyal advocate for patients to be fully involved in their own care, providing the right information to enable them to be empowered to make informed choices about their treatment and better self-management of their own conditions. The commissioners said this is demonstrated by his support and participation in the British Lung Foundation’s Breathe Easy support group in Eastbourne.

Kimberlee Cole, manager for Breathe Easy, said, “Dr Lytton has gone above and beyond the call of a GP. For the last three and a half years he has helped Breathe Easy establish itself as a support group for people suffering with long term lung conditions.

“He has given up his own time to hold question and answer clinics at our support group meetings and makes himself readily available for advice, help and support. Stephen was instrumental and selfless in helping us form a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme with Brighton University.

“His compassion, care and dedication in helping people with lung disease has been outstanding and Breathe Easy is so fortunate to have had his support and constant encouragement.”

Dr Tim Caroe, chief medical officer for the Sussex CCG, said, “I have worked with Dr Lytton for many years and I know that this nomination is extremely well-deserved. To make the finals of these hard fought national awards is a real accolade.

“Dr Lytton’s dedication to his patients and the wider community is something to be greatly admired.”

Dr Elizabeth Gill, chief medical officer for the Sussex CCG, said, “Dr Lytton is extremely committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with other clinicians to continually improve and develop the care we offer to local people. I wish him the very best of luck.”

Now in its 40th year, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual benchmarking and recognition programme for healthcare and produce a roll call of the best organisations, teams and people in the NHS and the wider health sector.

The full list of finalists for the awards can be found at https://awards.hsj.co.uk/2020-shortlist.