New Healthwatch England Committee member announced
Recent Senior Independent Director at the Care Quality Commission, Sir John Oldham, has joined the committee of Healthwatch England.
A GP by background, Sir John worked in inner-city Manchester and Derbyshire before retiring from clinical practice. Currently an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Global Health at Imperial College, Sir John also used to Chair the Independent Commission on Whole Person Care.
Commenting on his appointment, Sir John said:
“I’m delighted to be joining the Committee of Healthwatch England. Now more than ever it’s vital that the views of those who use health and care services are taken into account in shaping how those services are delivered.
"I look forward to contributing to the important work that Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch deliver across the country in ensuring that people are provided with care that is responsive to their needs.”
Announcing the appointment, Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England said:
“Sir John is a fantastic addition to our committee. His background as a clinician, combined with his outstanding record in academia and public service means that he brings with him an abundance of experience and insight.
"Sir John Oldham helped pioneer quality improvement methods in health care in the UK and created a mechanism for large-scale change, replicated in several countries. He also worked in a Department for Education programme, successfully raising the performance of underperforming pupils in the lowest quartile of schools in England.
"He will be a huge asset to Healthwatch as we continue to drive change across the Health and Care system."
Sir John was previously a member of the National Quality Board for the NHS in England, and National Clinical Lead for Quality and Productivity at the Department of Health and Social Care.
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