A NORTH-East professor has taken up his position as president of the British Medical Association.

Former GP and Durham University professor Pali Hungin will fulfil the year for the coming year.

Professor Hungin takes on the role after a career working as a GP in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, and in clinical research, particularly into the early diagnosis of long term conditions.

He is currently a professor of primary care and general practice in the school of medicine, pharmacy and health at Durham University and was a founding member of the UK and European Primary Care Societies for Gastroenterology, helping to instigate research networks in the UK.

As the new president, Professor Hungin hopes to focus particularly on keeping patients at the heart of the profession, re-evaluating the role of doctors and professionalism, with research as a key element of high quality care and medicine.

He said:β€œIt is a real privilege to take up this position with the BMA, especially at a crucial time for the NHS and the medical profession.

β€œI hope that my experience as both a GP and more recently in medical academia will help me to bring a distinct perspective to take this role forward. I very much look forward to working with the BMA over the coming year to promote the values of clinicians and patients, the role of the doctor in modern society and the NHS that we all cherish.”

Born and brought up in Kenya, Professor Hungin graduated from Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School and undertook general practice training in the North East of England and at the University of Western Ontario, Canada.

In 2000, Professor Hungin was made an OBE for services to research and in 2008 Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham.