26 August 2021, Camden: Healthwatch Camden, the independent champion for people who use health and social care, has announced the appointment of Stephen Heard as its new Director.
Stephen will work closely with the Trustee Board and the Healthwatch Camden team in developing a new long-term strategy to navigate the path of the organisation through the next stages of the pandemic, the new Health and Social Care legislation and beyond.
Stephen is a seasoned leader with a proven record of leading award-winning teams and creating sustained health, social and physical activity strategies. He has extensive experience in contributing to charity and social value impacts across various areas of the UK, primarily London.
Throughout his 16-year career of working towards healthier, fitter and happier communities, Stephen has developed a passion for equality and empowering people, be it colleagues or the local population.
On being appointed to the position of Healthwatch Camden, Stephen said,
“I’m really pleased to be joining Healthwatch Camden and I look forward to being able to further support some of the excellent work that the team have been doing.
“Whilst we’re in some very challenging times, I am committed to strengthening voices of people so that they can experience quality health and social care services.”
Dr Louise Jones, Chair of Trustees, Healthwatch Camden, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Stephen to Healthwatch Camden. Stephen is a proven leader with considerable experience in the health and wellbeing sector. He has a sharp insight into the crucial role we play in ensuring that the voices of people from all sections of society are listened to and heard.”
“I am confident that Stephen will help us deliver on our ambitious strategy, primarily aimed at tackling health inequalities.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Healthwatch is the independent watchdog created to gather and represent the views of the public. Healthwatch plays a role at both the national and local levels to ensure that the views of people that use services are taken into account. It provides a collective voice for health and social care users in Camden.
- Healthwatch Camden has a seat on the Camden Health and Wellbeing Board and can alert Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to concerns about services.
- Local Healthwatch functions and powers are set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This includes the power to refer its concerns to the local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
- For more information contact Namrata.bansal@healthwatchcamden.co.uk