Handbook of Medical Leadership and Management

Development of professional skills is central to good medical practice and is recognized as a priority by the NHS, the Academy of Royal Colleges, and General Medical Council. The Oxford Professional Practice Handbooks cover key areas which underpin clinical medicine. As practical, quick reference guides they are closely aligned to the Oxford Medical Handbooks with the familiar, concise and accessible format. Aimed at medical trainees, they also serve as useful quick reference guides for all clinicians in managerial, leadership, and teaching or development roles.

Each title is written by specialists with input from trainees and students to ensure the content is practical and relevant to the day-to-day needs of healthcare professionals.

Paula Murphy, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, John Howard Centre, East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK,Peter Lachman, Lead Faculty Quality Improvement Programme, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Ireland,Bradley Hillier, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London NHS Trust London, UK

Dr Paula Murphy is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Her interests in medical leadership date back to her training in psychiatry when she was a 'Prepare to Lead' candidate, a scheme aimed at preparing doctors for leadership roles. She holds a Masters degree in Public Health and Health Services Management from the London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She completed a scholarship with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). She has published in peer-reviewed journals and in books. She is currently studying on the Executive Masters in Medical Leadership at Bayes Business School.


Peter Lachman M.D. MPH. M.B.B.Ch., FRCPCH, FCP (SA), FRCPI is Lead Faculty Quality Improvement at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) in Dublin, where he directs the Leadership and Quality programme to develop clinical leaders in quality improvement. He is co-founder and Chairperson of PIPSQC, the Paediatric International Patient Safety and Quality Community.

He was Chief Executive Officer of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) from 1st May 2016 to 30th April 2021. Dr Lachman was a Health Foundation Quality Improvement Fellow at IHI in 2005-2006 and developed the safety programme at Great Ormond Street Hospital where he was the Deputy Medical Director with the lead for Patient Safety. He was also a Consultant Paediatrician at the Royal Free Hospital in London specialising in the challenge of long term conditions for children.


Dr Bradley Hillier is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. His leadership journey began at Oxford where he held roles in the BMA. Prepare to Lead followed, mentored by the Surgeon General British Armed Forces. He has undertaken roles in national and international organisations, including consulting for the United Nations. He is currently the national lead for Chemsex Health and Justice, leads on the development of a psychiatric curriculum and training resources for the RCPsych and THET in Ghana, and is studying for a Masters in Public Health at LSHTM.