Winstanley Governor Retires from NHS after 53 Years

Dr Nayyar Naqvi, a long serving Winstanley Governor and Consultant Cardiologist has hung up his stethoscope for the last time after an inspirational career in the NHS lasting 53 years. 

Because of his retirement he has been offered the title of Emeritus Consultant Cardiologist to mark his many years of service to Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh NHS Trust. Dr Naqvi set up Wigan’s Cardiology Service and the Dr Naqvi Heart Fund from a small room in the old Billinge Hospital in 1979. 

Thanks to his amazing work Wigan now has a first class district cardiology service based at Wigan Infirmary, including exercise laboratories, echocardiogram laboratories and two cardiac catheter laboratories, and a subsidiary department at Leigh Infirmary. 

Dr Naqvi is a fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians in London and Edinburgh, the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology. He has also written many papers and presented them all over the world. 

He has been honorary clinical teacher at the University of Manchester’s School of Medicine and British Heart Foundation lecturer, as well as honorary senior lecturer at University of Central Lancashire. 

Originally from Rampur in India, Dr Naqvi attended a university in Pakistan called Dow Medical College and graduated in 1968 before relocating to the UK. 

Dr Naqvi has been inundated with many accolades throughout his career including an OBE from the Queen in 2004 for services to Medicine, a star on Wigan’s Believe Square in 2013 and as part of the 70th anniversary of the NHS in 2018 he was awarded with a lifetime achievement award and was shortlisted for a national accolade. 

Alongside Dr Naqvi’s distinguished professional career, one of his many other achievements is his role as governor at Winstanley College, where he has inspired many students from Wigan and the surrounding areas to pursue a career in medicine. He has sourced work experience, delivered practice medical school interviews and given inspirational talks to our students to give them the best possible chance of success. Many a current medical student or doctor who attended Winstanley College can owe some of their success to Dr Naqvi’s support and guidance. 

Dr Naqvi said: “I have spent 42 very happy years working at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (previously Wigan Health Authority). It has been my honour and privilege to have served the public of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan to the best of my ability.” 

“Over the years I have seen many changes in the health service, locally and nationally. Despite all the challenges our beloved NHS faces every moment of every day, I firmly believe it is the best health service in the world. I am blessed to have worked in it.” 

Now that he is retired Dr Naqvi alongside his commitments as a College Governor will now have more time to spend on his other passions which include poetry and golf, for which he is captain of Wigan Golf Club. 

We are honoured to have such a distinguished doctor as a governor at Winstanley. Very best wishes for your well deserved retirement Dr Naqvi from all the staff, students, parents and governors at Winstanley College! You deserve it!