Altaf Hussain (politician)

Background

Dr Altaf Hussain was an orthopedic surgeon for the NHS in Wales before his selection as a Welsh Conservative Party Assembly candidate and was formerly based at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

As a surgeon, his work in developing the Notch Trial method in total knee replacement surgery was showcased at the World Orthopaedic Conference.

He is a recipient of the Best Practice Team Award 2007, the Glory of India Award 2008 and has been featured in “Who’s Who in the World” between 2009 and 2014, as well as featuring regularly in "Who's Who in Science and Engineering".

He remains active in the field of Orthopaedic research and continues to deliver lectures on a 'pro bono' basis.

Education

Altaf studied at The University of Jammu & Kashmir where he obtained his MBBS qualification. He obtained his Master of Surgery qualification at The University of Kashmir in 1972 before being awarded his M.Ch.Orth qualification in Orthopaedic Surgery from the University of Liverpool in 1982.

Political Life

Altaf has been a supporter of the UK Conservative Party since the 1980s, and has held a number of Offices in the Welsh Conservative Party, including Deputy Chairman of Bridgend Conservative Association - of which he has been an active member since 2009. Altaf has served on the Board of the Welsh Conservative Party since 2012, when he was elected as Chairman for the South Wales West Area.

He was the Welsh Conservative Party's parliamentary candidate in the 2015 General Election, fighting for the Party in the Swansea East constituency.

Having fought the Welsh Assembly Election, 2011 as a list candidate in South Wales West, Altaf became First in Reserve, for the Welsh Conservatives regional assembly list for the South Wales West Region from 2011 until 2015, when he succeeded Byron Davies following the 2015 General Election which saw Davies' election to Westminster.

He has served as a Community Councillor in Pen-y-Fai since 2011 and is a Governor of Aberkenfig Catholic School.

Issues and Campaigns

Since becoming an Assembly Member, Altad has campaigned on a number of local and national issues.

He has worked with St John Cymru Wales to further their goal of having a 'first aider on every street', as well as working to help bring their Cycle Responder Unit project that has been successfully piloted in Cardiff further west into Swansea and Bridgend. He has also campaigned for all schools in Wales to have defibrilators

Altaf has been a strong proponent of improving Town Centres and reducing unoccupancy rates, speaking out about problems with the road layout in Swansea's Kingsway prior to the Council making changes. He has regularly argued in the local press for lower business rates, better parking facilities and against the closure of public toilet facilities.

Altaf regularly speaks on matters related to Health and Social Care, campaigning for pro-active 'stay at home assessments' to be offered to anyone so wanting one upon reaching retirement age which he argues will reduce delays in the transfer of patient care from the hospital to the home care setting and will enable older people to remain for longer in their own homes. He has Chaired a number of seminars relating to Health and Social Care policy with the Institute of Welsh Affairs and Policy Forum Wales.

Altaf has also spoken out to highlight his opposition to the proposed 'sugar tax' and as to whether locum doctors' earnings in Wales should be subject to a cap

Altaf has also written and commented extensively on issues concerning community and faith relations and has been a fierce critic of the policy of multiculturalism, arguing that its effects have been socially and culturally divisive and that a policy of full integration should instead be pursued

Personal life

Altaf lives with his wife Khalida, who is a retired General Practitioner. They have two children. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Golf, reading and most forms of fitness and exercise. He maintains an active interest in global current affairs.