Healthwatch Northumberland’s Chair, David Thompson, stepped down this month after six years in the role.
Healthwatch Northumberland is the independent health and social care champion for people in Northumberland and is delivered by Hexham-based charity Adapt (NE).
David has been at the helm since 2017 and has been instrumental in championing the voice of the people in health and social care decision making with those providing and commissioning services.
During his time as Chair of the Healthwatch Northumberland Board, David was involved with the Northumberland Health and Wellbeing Board, the Primary Care Commissioning Committee and the System Transformation Board, and for the past 12 months he represented the North East and North Cumbria Healthwatch Network on the Integrated Care Board.
David says “The past six years have flown by and it has been a real privilege to have shared a journey with such a dedicated band of staff, board members and volunteers. Meeting members of the public and professionals has been very rewarding as there has been and remains a determination from everyone to improve services even further.”
Before joining Healthwatch Northumberland David was Chair of leisure trust North Country Leisure and Tynedale Sports Council. Previous to that he was Head Teacher of Haydon Bridge High School for 19 years.
A new Chair is now in post and Peter Standfield of Morpeth will take the reins of the Healthwatch Northumberland Board.
David says he is ‘delighted’ with the appointment, adding “Peter will be a decided asset to Healthwatch Northumberland, bringing with him a broad range of experience and expertise.”
Healthwatch Northumberland’s Vice Chair Margaret Young is also leaving after six years in post. David told us “Margaret has been a stalwart of Healthwatch Northumberland since 2017. She has brought great knowledge and awareness to the board about what is happening in health and social care across the county.”
We’ll bring you more information about new chair Peter Standfield soon!
