The Advocacy is delighted to welcome Dr Peter Mills and Millie Leigh-Wood to our Board of Directors

Born and raised in Scotland, Peter undertook preclinical studies and a year of research at Oxford University before graduating in medicine from St George’s Hospital, then at Hyde Park Corner, in 1971.

After working at the Brompton Hospital and the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases Queen Square, he embarked on training in Cardiology at St George’s and then spent 2 years in Chapel Hill North Carolina, conducting research in cardiac ultrasound.

In 1979 Peter was appointed as a consultant cardiologist at the Royal London Hospital, subsequently also working at the London Chest Hospital in a specialist cardiac unit. He retired from active practice in 2014.

Peter published 95 scientific papers on a variety of subjects including cardiac ultrasound, valve disease, coronary artery disease and the underline principles of postgraduate training. He was Chairman of the committee which supervises Training in Cardiology in the UK and subsequently developed this interest within the European context.

Latterly in his clinical work, he developed an interest in diseases of the heart muscle. This in some cases heart muscle disease is associated with abnormalities of skeletal muscle – muscular dystrophies, and hence he encountered patients with both mild and severe forms of neuromuscular disorders. This explains, using the modern parlance, the “journey” of a clinical cardiologist steeped in the macho nature of the specialty, to an appreciation and understanding of the varied disabilities associated with these disorders and the profound effects of these disabilities on both patients and carers.

Millie Leigh-Wood was brought up in London and Norfolk and graduated from Newcastle University with a BA Hons degree in Combined Studies of Russian History and Philosophy. Periods of charity work in India and Mexico fuelled her passion to care for people and Millie then trained as a nurse at Thames Valley University.

After beginning her career as an oncology nurse at University College Hospital in London,  Millie has worked in a range of institutions including the NHS, private healthcare, the charity sector and the insurance industry. Improving patient safety and raising standards of care have always been the driving forces for the different roles that she has undertaken. Whilst working as Senior Caseworker and then Deputy Chief Executive of the healthcare charity, The Patients Association, Millie wrote a paper examining the work of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman which was reviewed by the national press.

She has worked as a consultant in clinical governance and risk management in a number of NHS Trusts and most recently as part of the medical malpractice team of the international insurance company, CNA Hardy.  She continues to deliver her healthcare risk analysis expertise and this year has returned to clinical nursing at Royal Trinity Hospice.  

We extend a very warm welcome and thanks to Peter and Millie for joining our Board.