Dr Buchi Reddy is the Programme Manager and Clinical Lead for the North West London Diabetes Transformation Programme. He is also a Healthcare Public Health Specialist and trained as a GP with special interest in diabetes, a Post Graduate level training in Internal Medicine and a Post Graduate Diploma in clinical nutrition from India. He has very senior level experience in leadership and management.
He began his training in Internal Medicine and Diabetes in CMC Vellore, also met his future wife, Dr Leena Reddy who is now a psychiatrist in Oxfordshire NHS Trust. He is passionate and proud of his work in the inner city slums of Chennai and at the Voluntary Health Services Medical Centre Diabetes Research Rehabilitation Centre, Chennai with special interest in caring for children and young people with Type 1 diabetes. He practiced medicine and diabetes care in a range of settings across India and the Maldives before moving to the UK.
In the UK, after finishing his Masters in Public Health Nutrition from Southampton worked in different aspects of public health and the NHS ranging from commissioning, contracting, health promotion, prevention, health care public health and transformation work. He supported the Berkshire team in qualifying for the NDPP application and the subsequent transformation funding related work in North West London.
1) Which place or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I feel at home when I am in the countryside, whether it is in the little Indian village where earlier generations from my family lived, Maldives where I worked, Sri Lanka, North Africa, Cyprus, Switzerland and of course Berkshire and Oxfordshire. I am fond of a small hill near Streatley, Goring where a farm horse always looks out for me!
2) What are your proudest achievements?
My work on pre-diabetes and diabetes prevention, awareness and detection started nearly 25 years ago, through a partnership between City Corporation, Lions Clubs International, Voluntary Health Services and Bollywood in Chennai targeting the high risk inner city areas, with nearly 100 camps and numerous road shows. Here in the UK, I continue to raise the profile of diabetes, reaching out to thousands of at risk people. I was given a letter of commendation by the former Minister for Public Health for my work on diabetes using the Rightcare methodology. I am also proud of my work on public mental health and time to change campaigns in Harrow Council.
3) What inspires you?
Our great potential for change, innovation and transformation in the NHS for the next generation diabetes care, through smart phone apps, digital technology and AI, tailoring service to the needs of the people, a risk based public health approach and a continuous service improvement through an iterative process. My wife, a psychiatrist who worked and saved pennies since she was 8 years old in Mumbai, with the hope that one day she could be a doctor in the UK and our daughter who has inspired me to be a better person.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
My move from a practicing GP and diabetes specialist to a public health manager and then a transformation change agent. Convincing directors, commissioners, contractors and senior managers how my clinical leadership and change management skills can help with diabetes and the wider healthcare transformation. Having demonstrated that in 2 different CCG collaborations in Berkshire, I need to continue to face this challenge in London, but persevere to overcome challenges to better the lives of people with diabetes.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Not one but many diabetes stalwarts. Dr Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for example. Also, the great team I work with at the North West London Diabetes Programme, especially Lesley Roberts, Programme Director with a huge portfolio of transformation work stretching from Scotland to England along with Dr Tony Willis, Clinical Director, for their vision, commitment and tenacity.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
To be asked to do the impossible, choose a road less travelled, set your own targets, and also work with the most amazing team, service users and bosses who have faith in my capabilities. And having a boss like Lesley Roberts who is also my friend, philosopher and guide.
7) And the worst?
Having a dream job would mean that I will have less and less time to pursue my hobbies like writing poetry, travelling, cooking and long walks, and day dreaming!
8) What are your long term goals?
To achieve a sustainable model for diabetes transformation, like an Accountable Care System or Organisation (ACO/ACS) based on risk share/gain share model, with a major focus on remission, prevention and public health. To encourage politicians and policy makers to adopt a more holistic model of physical and mental health care.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would encourage all young people to take up active participation in their local parishes, councils and healthcare organisations. I would also focus on tackling social, health and income inequalities.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
For a while I would be happy enjoying the island as long as I have my family with me or hope that Bear Grylls is with me to build a boat to get to the nearest inhabited island.
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