20.09.18
Sir Robert Francis chosen as new Healthwatch chair
Healthwatch England has appointed Sir Robert Francis QC as its new a chair, taking over from current chair Jane Mordue after her three-year tenure.
Sir Robert is most well-known for leading a major inquiry into concerns of poor care and high mortality rates for patients at Stafford Hospital, and in 2014 was commissioned to review NHS whistleblowing to ensure those too scared to speak out can safely do so.
He will take over from Jane Mordue, who said she “couldn’t be more delighted” to hand over the reins to Sir Robert.
“I never cease to be impressed by the fantastic work being done by Healthwatch teams across the country, going out and speaking to people about what matters to them,” she added.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to all the staff on the ground and the volunteers who make Healthwatch what it is. I leave confident in the knowledge that Sir Robert has the experience and respect of the sector to lead Healthwatch in to its next phase.”
He will take up the post at Healthwatch from 1 October, overseeing the network that has gathered millions of people’s experiences of hospitals, GP surgeries, and care homes to help assess the standard of health services around the UK.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said Sir Robert will bring a wealth of experience to the post, adding: “The public inquiry he led into the failings at mid-staffs led to improvements right across the health system in recent years, with his work on whistleblowing creating an environment where staff feel they are able to speak up where they see poor care.
“As chair of Healthwatch, I am confident he will ensure the views of patients sit right at the very heart of decision making in the NHS.”
Sir Robert said: “I have always been very clear in my work to date that those who run, commission and regulate services make the best decisions when they listen to and learn from the experiences of those they care for. With the health and care sector under significant pressure, they do need a strong and independent Healthwatch to help them hear what people are saying.
“The Healthwatch network has done a fantastic job to date, in particular helping those who often struggle to be heard. This has influenced changes both big and small right across the country.”
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Image credit: Dominick Lipinski