A SENIOR consultant physician in occupational health at Newcastle Hospitals has received a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr Elizbeth Murphy, Clinic Director of Newcastle’s Occupational Health Service, received the award from The Society of Occupational Medicine.
Having graduated from Newcastle University in 1988, Dr Murphy completed medical and respiratory rotations before combining interests and progressing her training in occupational medicine.
During her first consultant occupational physician post in NHS Grampian (2000- 2013) Dr Murphy developed an interest and expertise in supporting individuals and organisations with complex case management in relation to performance, health and capability.
With the support of the local postgraduate dean Gillian Needham, she established innovative training posts in occupational medicine for those both full and less than full time, career start post GP training and foundation programme rotations.
In 2013, Dr Murphy moved to Newcastle Hospitals building on the existing regional rotation and developed the current flexible regional model of training opportunities in occupational medicine and wider clinical practice development for physiotherapists, nurses and technicians.
Together with Professor Richard Bellamy, Deputy Dean and Director of Speciality Training, the region is now established with a sustainable and innovative training programme for the next generation of occupational health specialists.
As a keen educator and training programme director she has supported seven new consultant post developments in the North East and Cumbria, along with seven more who are working in other regions. This has been recognised by the Society of Occupational Medicine in the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr Murphy said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award. While it’s personal to me, I feel this has really been a team effort with support of NHS Grampian, Newcastle Hospitals and postgraduate deans Gillian Needham and Richard Bellamy and of course all those who have been involved in training for the future of our speciality.”
The SOM Occupational Health Awards showcase occupational health – demonstrating the value of occupational health to organisations and the wider community.
