Dr James Ferguson
IQILS clinical lead 

James is a consultant hepatologist based in University Hospital Birmingham NHS foundation trust - he is steeped in experience which makes him perfect for this role and will be supporting the programme and services as much as possible to achieve accreditation. James's interests within his field of expertise include cardiovascular and renal dysfunction after liver transplantation and the complications of portal hypertension, portal hypertension, vascular disorders of the liver, alcoholic liver disease and adolescent transition. 

Dr Andrew Yeoman 
IQILS quality lead

Andrew is a consultant hepatologist based at the Gwent Liver Service in Wales and the clinical lead for the Wales Liver Plan launched in 2015, which aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from liver disease. Andrew has a wealth of experience to bring to this role and will be supporting us to increase awareness of the programme, engaging with liver services and supporting with accreditation assessments.

Dragana Smith
Senior project manager

Dragana is the programme manager for the IQILS programme. She is responsible for the delivery and development of three accreditation programmes - Improving Quality in Liver Services (IQILS), Quality in Primary Immunodeficiency Services (QPIDS) and Improving Quality in Allergy Services (IQAS). Each programme offers a robust accreditation pathway for the relevant sectors with the aim of improving the quality of clinical services  throughout the UK.

Previously, Dragana has worked in the fields of legal practice and medical education. She has a background in accreditation and standards development in charitable and membership organisations where the focus is on making a difference to the quality of learning and improving healthcare.

Katy Thistlethwaite
Programme coordinator 

Katy is the programme coordinator for the IQILS programme and is responsible for managing assessments and supporting services on their accreditation journey. Additionally, Katy leads on managing service and assessor training.

Prior to joining the Royal College of Physicians, Katy worked for St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and worked across a many of departments including radiology, offender healthcare and cardiac diagnostics.

Jodie Owen
Head of Operations - RCP accreditation unit

Jodie leads the Accreditation Unit team, overseeing the operations of all 7 accreditation streams, team and unit development. She has spent the last 10 years working in Quality Improvement with 2 large improvement organisations and hopes to bring those skills to the Accreditation Unit to enable it to flourish and develop further.

Jodie started her professional career as a physiotherapist, developing and leading services, specialising in Trauma & Orthopaedics and Accident & Emergency. She also has experience in the commercial and voluntary sectors, as alongside her professional career she was the director of a construction company and the chair of a large amateur rugby league football club, both for 5 years.

Out of work Jodie is a mum to 2 boys, pack leader to 3 dogs and a bee keeper, busy, but happily so.