Andrew Lansley has selected Professor Malcolm Grant CBE as his preferred choice to become the chair of the NHS Commissioning Board.

The New Zealander barrister, academic and former government advisor currently holds the post of President and Provost of UCL (University College London).

The Health Secretary says that Professor Grant is “outstandingly capable and has excellent leadership skills” and he “shares the public sector ethos and values of the NHS”.

Professor Grant, who has also served as a UK business ambassador, is expected to take the post at the end of October, following a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing in front of the Health Select Committee. It will be his first role in the health sector.

In the past ten years, Professor Grant has held a number of high profile positions including the pro vice chancellor of Cambridge University, chair of the local government commission, chair of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission.

His role as the head of the NHS Commissioning Board will be to provide strategic leadership and vision for commissioning.

“I am honoured to be named the preferred choice for this vital role,” said Professor Grant. “I am passionate about the NHS and see the Commissioning Board as playing a key part in delivering a service which meets the future needs of patients and of the nation.

“We need to build on the very best NHS qualities of dedicated public service, professionalism and pride, and seize the opportunity to create long-term stability and focus on getting constant improvement in quality and openness to innovation.”

Mobisante has launched its MobiUS SP1 in the US, the world’s first smartphone-based ultrasound imaging system.

The device joins other portable point-of-care diagnostics that have recently entered the mobile health sector, including GE’s handheld visualisation tool Vscan and Siemens' Acuson P10.

The £4,700 MobiUS SP1 is designed for use in foetal, cardiac, pelvic, paediatric, musculoskeletal, peripheral vessel and abdominal imaging, providing the potential for enhanced patient care in any location, even remote areas.

The mobile health technology uses both cellular and WiFi networks, and consists of a Windows Mobile 6.5-based Toshiba TG01 smartphone, an ultrasound probe and computer software.

The manufacturer claims that the system could also be more suitable for use in low-income regions than traditional ultrasound equipment due to its lower operating costs and the increased convenience it would provide for patients.

Mobisante actually received FDA clearance for the device in February 2011, but it took eight months to implement necessary FDA-mandated controls.

The company is exploring the option of making a version of the product for healthcare-specific tablet computers as well.