A leading Cumbrian medic has been elected to a national role.
Dr Louise Buchanan, consultant cardiologist and medical director for professional standards at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, has been elected as a vice president of the British Cardiovascular Society.
Dr Buchanan grew up in West Cumbria and despite a varied national and international career has returned to her roots. She has worked at the trust, which runs the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, for 11 years and has now progressed into medical leadership both within the trust and further afield.
In 2022, Dr Buchanan was appointed as treasurer of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions and has now been appointed vice president elect for professional and society values of the British Cardiovascular Society.
Dr Buchanan said: “It’s important to realise that working in Cumbria does not preclude anything. Working within NCIC I have been able to progress my medical leadership in my field as well as within the trust.
“I have been an active member of the Women in Cardiology committee of the BCS since 2023 and have developed a webinar programme in conjunction with members. I also won a scholarship from the European Society of Cardiology to do the Women Transforming Leadership Programme at Oxford University.
“I am committed to ensure all individuals working within the field of cardiology are equally represented. I understand the challenges that can arise within cardiology and how professional and society values are crucial for each and every one of us. All individuals should have equality of access to training and development, regardless of their background.
“It is key that medical leadership is diverse and we remove barriers to career progression. Throughout my own career, I have built strong networks and worked collaboratively with my peers to promote women in cardiology and ensure sexism or discrimination of any kind are not tolerated in the workplace.”
“It is important that as professionals working within the field of cardiology, we support the BCS and the mission to set standards of clinical excellence for the benefit of patients and maintain the highest standards and good practice. We must also ensure a sustainable future for our specialty.”
Dr Adrian Clements, executive medical director, added: “Dr Buchanan is a leading role model in her field and we’re very proud to have her working in our organisation. She is a shining example of our ‘grow your own’ plan to recruit and train doctors locally so we have a more sustainable workforce for the future.”
