06.11.12
Justin Whatling elected as new chair of BCS Health
Dr Justin Whatling has been elected as the new chair of BCS Health, part of BCS and The Chartered Institute for IT.
Former chair Matthew Swindells, who sits on NHE’s editorial boad, has stepped down from the role after a three year tenure period. Adam Drury has been elected to the position of secretary for BCS Health.
Dr Whatling has continuously played a major role within BCS Health, having previously worked alongside Matthew Swindells as Vice Chair, Strategy and Policy. His appointment to the position of chair is highly significant due to the ongoing ten year strategy plan of the Department of Health, the NHS and other important industry bodies, which seeks to renovate the use of IT in the NHS, public health and social care.
He said: “I am delighted to have been elected chair and am particularly grateful for the excellent work of Matthew Swindells. His leadership has cemented BCS’ reputation as the leading source of expertise on health informatics.
“It is an incredibly exciting time for the sector and BCS is ideally positioned to help develop the professionalism of the sector to support a flourishing informatics market whilst continuing to champion the benefits of IT in healthcare and provide leadership in this area not only for individuals, but also through our work advising other professionals, working across the NHS and government.”
Swindells expressed his gratitude for having been able to lead BCS Health for the past three years as well as his pride over the work that the group has accomplished. He stated that his successor “will bring invaluable experience and knowledge to the role of Chair, as well as a passion for the benefits healthcare IT can deliver for patients and clinicians”.
Amongst other initiatives the group is currently working with the Department of Health in order create patient guidelines for safe record keeping.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]