The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is delighted to announce the appointments of Dr Aklak Choudhury as clinical director for improvement programmes and Dr Zuzanna Sawicka as clinical director for patient safety and clinical standards.
Both roles are pivotal to the RCP’s mission to drive excellence in patient care by supporting its members and fellows to influence system-wide change across the NHS.
Dr Choudhury, currently deputy medical director for quality and safety and a respiratory consultant at University Hospitals Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, brings a wealth of expertise in continuous quality improvement. With a strong background in medical education and system improvement, he will lead the development of the RCP’s improvement services, supporting physicians to embed high-impact, sustainable change in practice.
Dr Sawicka is a consultant in elderly medicine and associate medical director for system collaboration for older people and those with frailty at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. A recognised champion for patient safety, she has led numerous initiatives to improve standards of care both in hospital and community settings and will now spearhead the RCP’s patient safety and clinical standards agenda.
Zuzanna started in her role on 1 May 2025, while Aklak will take up his post on 16 June 2025.
Dr Aklak Choudhury, RCP clinical director for improvement programmes, said: “It’s a huge privilege to take on this role at such a pivotal time for the NHS. I’ve seen first-hand how powerful quality improvement can be when it's embedded in daily practice and shaped by both the patient and physician experiences. I’m passionate about supporting physicians to drive change that is meaningful, measurable and patient-centred. Working with RCP fellows, members and our patients, I look forward to strengthening our improvement culture and shaping a system where continuous learning and innovation are the norm, not the exception.”
Dr Zuzanna Sawicka, RCP clinical director for patient safety and clinical standards, said: “Every patient deserves safe, timely and compassionate care, and I am honoured to take forward this important work at the RCP. My focus will be on listening to the voices of patients and staff, and driving the high standards patients expect and to which our clinicians want to deliver. Even in the face of current pressures, we have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to ensure these high standards, champion patient safety and ensure that clinical excellence is something every patient can rely on. I am excited to work alongside colleagues across the UK to help make that vision a reality.”
Dr John Dean, RCP clinical vice president, welcomed the appointments: “We are thrilled to welcome Aklak and Zuzanna into these vital leadership roles. Both bring exceptional expertise, compassion, and a proven track record of leading change that improves care. Their appointments mark a significant step forward in the RCP’s ambition to support physicians to deliver better care, every day. With their leadership, we will continue to strengthen our focus on improvement, safety, and clinical excellence at a time when these values have never been more needed.”