The sudden and unexpected passing of Tim Draycott, Senior Clinical Advisor for Maternity at NHS Resolution, on November 24, 2025, is a tremendous loss. Tim was not only a widely respected figure in patient safety and maternity care, but also a cherished colleague and friend to many within NHS Resolution and across the wider NHS family.
A Champion for Safer Maternity Care:
Tim’s impact on patient safety, especially in maternity care, was truly unparalleled. As a Consultant Obstetrician at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, he dedicated his career to improving outcomes for women and babies, both in England and around the world. His visionary leadership of the 
PROMPT (PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training) programme transformed maternity care through multi-professional simulation training. The results were remarkable: a 50% reduction in babies born starved of oxygen and a 70% reduction in babies born with a paralysed arm in Bristol. Today, PROMPT is used in 85% of UK maternity units, and many other countries around the world such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, leaving a truly global legacy.
Tim’s Contribution to NHS Resolution:
Tim was a vital part of the NHS Resolution family. In his role as Senior Clinical Advisor for Maternity, he brought his extensive clinical expertise and unwavering passion for safety to inform our strategy and initiatives. Tim was a strong advocate for reducing avoidable harm, co-authoring articles and leading discussions on how to tackle the rising costs of clinical negligence by improving safety at the source. He worked closely with our Safety and Learning Directorate, sharing insights from claims data to inform safety initiatives and educational resources. Most recently, Tim served as Clinical Director for the Department of Health and Social Care-funded Avoiding Brain Injuries in Childbirth (ABC) pilot programme, sharing his expertise with colleagues through events and webinars.
A Lasting Legacy:
Beyond his specific programmes, Tim was a highly respected Vice President for Clinical Quality at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and a founding director of the Tommy’s Maternity Improvement Centre. He was recognised as an “NHS Hero”, awarded Hospital Doctor of the Year, and received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Excellence in Education. Tim’s greatest skill was his ability to make everyone feel valued, championing the idea that good outcomes are the result of multi-professional teams working and training together. This philosophy of collaboration and shared learning is an enduring part of his legacy.
Remembering Tim:
Tim’s passing is a tremendous loss to NHS Resolution and to all who had the privilege of working with him. His warmth, humour and generosity touched countless lives, and his commitment to evidence-based improvement and collaborative care set a standard for us all. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Tim’s family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in our work to improve patient safety.
Supporting the Tim Draycott Scholarship Fund:
This initiative is a fitting tribute to Tim’s legacy and his commitment to evidence-based improvement and collaborative care, ensuring that his extraordinary contribution to patient safety continues to inspire future generations. Find out more about the Tim Draycott Scholarship Fund at THIS Institute, University of Cambridge which was announced on 11 December 2025.
