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Following a competitive recruitment process, we have appointed a new Independent Board Member to join our Governance Board.
Our Governance Board works closely with our Independent Chair and executive team providing strategic oversight on our performance and organisational objectives. Learn more about our Governance Board here.
In this blog, Nick shares insight into his background and experience, his interest in the use of digital technologies, and his views on strategically influencing change in NHS and social care organisations following the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have been an independent healthcare consultant for ten years advising NHS organisations on service redesign, risk management, governance, and cost improvement. These roles have given me the opportunity to work with many of the NHS organisations in the East Midlands, which has given me a valuable understanding of the health and social care landscape for our region.
I am currently the non-executive director at Barnsley Hospital NHS Trust, where I am Deputy Chair and Chair of the Audit Committee and Organ Donation Committee.
My experience working for the Audit Commission for 20 years involved leading major reviews of assistive technology, community equipment services, medicines management and the flow of patients through pathways of care. Many of the skills obtained from my role in leading these reviews at the Audit Commission will be transferable to the work at the EMAHSN.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the opportunities and the need for digital strategies. The recent NHS White paper refers to the importance of removing barriers that stop services from being fully integrated.
The Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) will be placed in a stronger position to influence and shift the innovation agenda. This provides an opportunity for EMAHSN to build relationships with our ICSs to shine a light on new innovations, pathways, research, and technologies, helping to drive the adoption of these at pace in our region.
The NHS White Paper also offers the opportunity for organisations to think about re-design of services using digital technologies and integrating health and social care for the benefit of service users.
In my role as a non-executive director at Barnsley Hospital NHS Trust, I have seen approximately one-half of outpatient consultant appointments now being carried out digitally whereas before this was only about 5%. I believe sustaining these digital solutions is important to COVID recovery.
I was attracted to the role, as I believe that there will be great opportunities for the EMAHSN as we move into COVID recovery and there will be many areas where I hope to have influence and support as part of the Governance Board.
I am looking forward to joining the team, providing support and advice to the organisation on its ambitions with the knowledge that I have acquired over the years.
Nick Mapstone, Independent Director