Biography
Stephen Ashmore
Stephen Ashmore joined the NHS in 1995 and has over ten years experience working in clinical audit and quality assurance. He initially began his career as a trainee audit facilitator for Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust before leaving the Acute sector and becoming Manager of Leicestershire Primary Care Audit Group in 1999
Stephen joined the Health Service with a degree in History and Politics from Keele University and was awarded a distinction in 1998 upon completing Leicester University’s Certificate in Clinical Audit Support. In 2000 he undertook De Montfort University’s Clinical Governance Module and he recently attained the City and Guilds 7407 Teaching Certificate for Adult Learners.
Although Stephen enjoys academic study, he is most at home providing practical support to NHS professionals. His 2003 report “Learning from Clinical Governance Reviews – Guidance for NHS Trusts” was widely acclaimed and included audit criteria to help NHS Trusts prepare for reviews by the Healthcare Commission. In 2004, he collaborated with PCAG colleagues on “Teaching Clinical Audit the Leicestershire PCAG Way” a resource pack that over 100 NHS Trusts now utilise to support local audit training programmes.
More recently Stephen has been a prolific contributor to national journals and healthcare magazines and his articles have appeared in Primary Care Report, Quality in Primary Care, Pharmacy in Practice and, the lesser known, Association of Clinical Pathologists News! Stephen’s expertise in clinical audit and risk management has led to recent collaborations with – Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, National Patient Safety Agency and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. Stephen also contributed to the National Clinical Audit Handbook in 2005.
Over the last ten years Stephen has worked at various levels and with a range of healthcare professionals. He was previously Treasurer of the National Primary Care Audit Group and a member of the National Audit and Governance Group. Stephen is currently a member of the Institute of Healthcare Managment. As PCAG Manager, he was responsible for co-ordinating clinical audit support across seven PCTs covering a population inexcess of 1.3 million patients. He is a committed individual and during his 11 years in the health service he maintained a 100% attendance record.
Away from work Stephen is a keen sportsman and in 2001 he completed the London Marathon on behalf of Phoenix House, a charity that rehabilitates substance mis-users. Stephen also supports De Montfort University’s Business Unit and provides advice to students seeking a placement year in industry.