Country's 'hero doctor' named Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London | Our news

A surgeon at The Royal London Hospital has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London.

Mr Martin Griffiths, a consultant vascular and trauma surgeon and lead for trauma surgery, was commissioned by The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, on 8th January 2019.

As a Deputy Lieutenant, Martin will assist the Lord-Lieutenant in supporting the Royal Family, while promoting civic, commercial, voluntary and social activities within London.

He will help to connect individuals, organisations and social networks to enhance Londoners’ sense of belonging and increase social inclusion within the capital.

Martin said: “ I'm absolutely thrilled about being given this opportunity to engage with the community I serve and am so passionate about. I share the core values of the Lieutenancy and will strive to exemplify all that is best about the great city that we live in.”

Deputy Lieutenants are well-known in their local area for the service they give through either public life, charitable activity, voluntary service or the uniformed services. It recognises the significant service given to their country or local area, and the respect with which they are held in their community.

This year, Martin was hailed the country's 'Hero Doctor' in The Mirror and ITV's awards to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS. Awarded for ‘saving the lives on a daily basis of people who have been stabbed and shot’, he was also recognised for his role in caring for people at The Royal London Hospital injured in the 2017 London Bridge terror attack.

Martin is also credited with founding and leading a programme at The Royal London Hospital with charity St Giles Trust which is helping young people to connect with education and employment opportunities to turn away from a life of violence. 

Charged with upholding the dignity of the Crown, the Greater London Lieutenancy covers the thirty two London Boroughs (not the City of London) including Tower Hamlets.

At present, there are some 100 Deputy Lieutenants in the Greater London Lieutenancy. It is a voluntary, unpaid position and no expenses are received.