Local NHS Trust Chair appointed to the new NHS National Assembly
NHS England has recently announced a list of people who will form a new National Assembly, many of whom are recognised for campaigning and supporting the rights of their own communities. Jagtar Singh, OBE, the local Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, is seen as one of those and has been invited to sit on the this newly formed NHS National body.
The new group of experts forming the ‘Assembly’ is going to help and support the senior management team from NHS England on how best to ensure the important day to day work of the NHS is not lost, or ‘its’ importance to the public is not forgotten, when they eventually ‘go live’ with the ‘NHS Long Term Plan’.
By bringing together a list of professionals from all parts of the NHS including those most important ‘its patients, their carers and families’, they will sit alongside staff representatives, the voluntary, community and social enterprise groups to make sure all our communities and their needs are heard. These local views and experiences will help develop and form local and regional plans for our communities using NHS services in the long term.
The Assembly are planning to meet on a regular basis, bringing their experience, knowledge and links from their considerable networks, to help open up the wider issues and ensure a debate on the NHS’s work and its local priorities.
The 56-strong Assembly will be co-chaired by leading GP Dr Claire Gerada, and former head of the King’s Fund think tank, Professor Sir Chris Ham, who has recently taken up his role of Independent Chair of ‘Better Health, Better Care, Better Value’ – Coventry and Warwickshire’s Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP).
Jagtar Singh commented on his appointment: “I am thankful to be awarded this opportunity, especially given over 500 people applied to be part of this important process. The Assembly membership will bring broad stakeholder insight and frontline experience to discussions, serving as a ‘guiding coalition’ on implementation of the improvements outlined in the Long Term Plan.
“As a lifelong public servant I am very happy to be invited to support Simon Stevens and the NHS England board deliver on the Plan. I am sure those who know me will be assured that I will focus on better outcomes for all, prevention and reducing health inequalities. This is a great opportunity for me to give back to the community learning and experience I have gained in the NHS and the Fire Service. “