National Poisons Information Service Director receives prestigious career recognition award

15 September 2008

Academy President Randall Bond presented Dr Vale with the accolade at the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday September 14.
Professor Bond said: "We are honouring Dr Vale with the AACT Career Achievement Award for the sum of his career rather than a single achievement. He has brought important clinical information to thousands through educational writing, editing, speaking and research. In doing so he has collaborated with scores of trainees and colleagues and trained several key figures in Clinical Toxicology."

"He has been a key figure in advancing collaboration in Clinical Toxicology across the Atlantic. The depth and breadth of his achievements are truly inspirational."

Among his many appointments, Dr Vale was President of the British Toxicological Society (2004 - 2006) and President of the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (1992 - 1998).

For 25 years he was closely involved in running the MRCP(UK) Examination for the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. For this contribution, Dr Vale was awarded the President's Medal of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 2006 and the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 2007.

His major achievements include the establishment of joint Position Statements between the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology on the efficacy of treatments in toxicology. The Statements have replaced anecdote with scientific evidence for the first time and have influenced clinical practice across the world.

Dr Vale said: "It is a very great honour to receive this award. I was made a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology in 1988 and I am even more flattered and delighted to receive this award, particularly since I am the first European to do so."

Notes to editors

1. The Health Protection Agency commissions the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) as a clinical toxicology service for health care professionals working in the NHS. The service consists of a network of units across the UK, providing information and advice on the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients who may have been accidentally or deliberately poisoned. 
2. NPIS provides Information on the management of poisoning through its Internet database TOXBASE (available to registered health care professionals) or via a 24 hour telephone service for more complex cases requiring specialist advice. These services are not for members of the public; NPIS supports NHS Direct and NHS 24 in providing advice to members of the public.

Contact: Health Protection Agency Press Office, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ Tel: +44 (0) 1235 822744/822745/822876  Fax: +44 (0) 1235 822746 Email: chilton.pressoffice@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 15 September 2008