Dr Russell Hills

Medical Director Primary Care and System Improvement; and National Primary Care Medical Directorate Lead for Workforce, NHS England – East of England

Dr Russell Hills (he/him) is currently medical director primary care and system improvement; and national primary care medical directorate lead for workforce at NHS England – East of England. He has been an NHS doctor for nearly 30 years, and a GP for over 20 years. He was a clinical leader in a Clinical Commissioning Group, then an Integrated Care Board, and is now working with NHS England.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey so far.

I am a partner in a large GP practice, and have always supported my colleagues, and my patients, to enable us to have an inclusive environment for people from diverse backgrounds. 10 years ago, I became the EDI lead for my Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), before becoming the Chair, and held onto the mantle for EDI, championing diversity in my CCG and then Integrated Care Board.

I sat on NHS Employers' Board as executive sponsor for EDI for several years, and now hold responsibility for workforce for the primary care medical directorate for NHS England, currently working on an EDI improvement plan for primary care.

What is one lesson or piece of advice you’d like to give aspiring LGBTQ+ leaders?

Be kind, both to yourself and to others.

What contribution to LGBTQ+ inclusion are you most proud of?

I have been out professionally for a long time now, and have used my position to be a voice for LGBTQ+ people, whether they are accessing or delivering services.