Northampton anaesthetist awarded prestigious professorship

A consultant anaesthetist at Northampton General Hospital has been awarded a professorship in anaesthesia and airway management by an international medical society.

Dr Christopher Frerk has been awarded the professorship by the Difficult Airway Society, a medical specialist society that promotes best practice and safety in the management of patients’ airways by anaesthetists and other critical care practitioners.

The award was conferred on Dr Frerk in recognition of his contribution to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to the airway, with his published work on this subject achieving international recognition.

"It’s great to have this award associated with our hospital.”

Chris commented: “It’s a great honour to be awarded this professorship but it’s important to remember that all the research work and safety work, teaching and training that I have been involved with over the years has been with fantastic teams of great people. I couldn’t have done any of it on my own and the continuing support I receive at NGH is tremendous. It’s great to have this award associated with our hospital.”

NGH medical director Dr Michael Cusack said: “Chris has been, and continues to be, a tireless champion of patient safety. We are indebted to him for his work in advancing safe practice here at NGH and we’re very grateful for the huge amount of energy and enthusiasm he puts not only into his own work but also into the training of colleagues.”

Clinical educator of the year

The award of DAS Professor of Anaesthesia is conferred in recognition of a member’s national/international standing in the field of airway management as established by outstanding contributions through publications, creative work or other appropriate forms of scholarship, and through teaching and administration.

Dr Frerk has been consultant anaesthetist at NGH for 23 years and is one of 36 consultants that make up of the Anaesthetics, Critical Care and Pain Management department at the hospital.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the accolade of NGH Clinical Educator of the Year at the Northampton General Hospital’s annual employee awards to recognise excellence in providing and supporting high quality education at the hospital.