Dan Howcroft

In his role as Chief Medical Officer, Dan is focusing on engaging closely with Medbelle's clinical partners in the system. They are often overlooked and yet are most likely the ones to solve these difficult challenges. We aim for disruption through partnership.

	Medbelle position	Chief Medical Officer
	Titles	FRCS (Tr&Orth), MBBS

Profile

For almost two decades, Dan has been providing either clinical care or strategic leadership to benefit patients across the country. Joining the Medbelle team in 2021 from Bupa as Medical Director of Provider Management, our Chief Medical Officer uses his knowledge and experience in value-based healthcare to help plan the future of Medbelle. His clinical knowledge as an orthopaedic surgeon has also been of invaluable added input to the wider team. Dan is driven by the desire to change the healthcare system for the better and as himself an orthopaedic surgeon, he is keen to use his skills to ensure a rich partnership with our clinical partners.

Reponsibilities

Review orthopaedic medical content to ensure we provide the highest-quality information to our patients
Developing Medbelle clinical strategy to identify new partnerships, treatments to reach more patients
Developing patient pathway design to promote a simpler and smarter journey for patients
Implementation of value-based healthcare to empower patients and promote the best outcomes
Oversight of clinical improvements for patient experience
Supporting Network development and fostering relationships with partners that help us raise the standard of healthcare

Dan in his own words

What motivated you to join Medbelle and the healthcare industry in general?

"To be honest it’s all I’ve ever known! I am from a family of surgeons, GPs and nurses. I’d decided by 4 years old that I wanted to be a doctor. I went into orthopaedic surgery as I was keen on the idea that the problem was easily identified and (usually) there could be a quick solution that would resolve the patient’s problems. Having left clinical practice and moved into insurance initially, I was attracted by the mission of Medbelle and by the vision of the founders. We really want to improve the system for all, patients and doctors!"

Best memory with a patient or in the industry

"I can honestly say that the only time I have shed a tear of joy was when I was a medical student and delivered my first baby. It was the couples first child and the emotion of the whole event swept me along with it."

If there was one thing you wish everyone knew.

"Surgery is fantastic at managing difficult symptoms for people with certain problems, but equally, it is not a silver bullet. It rarely “cures” anything and it certainly can’t turn the clock back. It is my view that you should always consider, and even try, all non-surgical options first (where symptoms or situation allows)."

One piece of advice you would give patients looking into orthopaedic surgery

"It is my view that for a good experience and outcome the surgeon needs to offer 3 elements to their practice. 1) Good clinical knowledge (and decision making). You should be offered a balanced view of all your options 2) Technically good at performing the surgery - don’t be afraid to ask for the outcome or volume data and 3) Great communication - which of course is a matter of choice in terms of what you like - but if it doesn’t feel right, then move on. Mutual faith and trust are really important in the therapeutic relationship."

Education

Medical Ethics & Law (Postgraduate Diploma) Keele University, 2014
Specialist Orthopaedic Training (on the specialist register), United Kingdom 2013
Gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in Trauma and Orthopedics (Tr&Orth) 2011 and added to the GMC specialist register, 2013
Prestigious Oswestry Orthopaedic Surgical Training Scheme, February 2007
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Newcastle University 2002

Work Experience

Dan worked at the Medical Protection Society (MPS) as a medicolegal adviser for just over two years before joining Bupa as Medical Director for Provider Management in 2015. This involved him working closely with commercial teams and helping to build networks. He developed an interest in value-based healthcare and has started to build some network ideas around this, including the Bupa clinician group accreditation criteria launched in 2018.

He is passionate about quality, outcomes and the sustainability of healthcare. It is from that role that he has joined Medbelle. Since April 2020, he has also been a member of the Governing Body (Non-Exec role) for the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), a role he will be continuing alongside his Medbelle role.