An East Midlands partnership that drives improvements in health services across the region has strengthened its Board by appointing two new members.

David Mell from Stathern in Leicestershire and Janet Worrell from Nottingham will serve as independent members on the Board of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network.

They will play a key role in supporting the partnership to tackle the major health issues that affect the lives of 4.5M people across the East Midlands – including cancer, stroke, mental health, obesity and support for older people. The duo have a wealth of experience across health and industry:

David Mell worked at a senior level for IBM for 35 years, based in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has served on the boards of a number of health bodies across Leicestershire and Rutland and helped establish the West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. He is currently a non-executive director with the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. "I am delighted to be appointed as an independent board member for the EMAHSN, which will enable me to play a part in shaping a healthier future for our population," said David.

Janet Worrell is a pharmacist with a PhD in medicinal chemistry and a strong background in research and development of novel medicines. She is currently a director of a clinical & regulatory services company, consult2deliver limited, and specialises in aiding companies in the bioscience and healthcare sector develop their innovative concepts. Janet, who has held senior positions at Boots Pharmaceuticals and Vectura plc, said: "I look forward to contributing to the improvement of patient care in the East Midlands by supporting the EMAHSN to identify and spread innovation.

The EMAHSN was set up by NHS England in 2013, and it brings together dozens of partners across the East Midlands including NHS agencies, universities and industry. The network's twin aims are to identify and spread innovation throughout health care, and to boost the local economy and create new jobs by helping businesses develop and market new health care products and services.

EMAHSN Independent Chair, Martin Hindle, said: "We are delighted to welcome two new independent board members who have such a breadth and depth of experience of health care and industry. "They will contribute to ensuring our future priorities continue to build on the excellent track record the East Midlands already has for world-class expertise in research and innovative collaboration between the NHS, universities and industry.

"By working closer together across each of these sectors and sharing ideas for innovation, we strive to put innovative ideas into practice to further improve health and care for patients."

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Notes to Editors
1. Photos of David and Janet are available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. tel 0115 748 4243

2. About the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN):
There are 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) around the country, including the East Midlands. Licensed by NHS England, they bring together organisations that commission health services including Clinical Commissioning Groups, service providers (such as GPs and hospitals), academics and industry to identify and spread innovation across the NHS. As well as improving services the AHSNs boost their local economies by supporting businesses in health sectors to bring new products & services to market.

Currently the EMAHSN's areas of focus include:
• Service improvement related to care of frail older people
• Diagnosis of liver disease
• Obesity
• Mental health
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Increasing patient and public involvement in key health care decisions.

Martin Hindle, Independent Chair of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network, is a former Chairman of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL). He has held leadership roles in both industry and health organisations. He was Chief Executive of the Nordic Region for Rhone Poulenc, Chairman and Chief Executive of Fisons' French operation, Global Commercial Director for Fisons pharmaceutical division and a Chief Executive Officer for Cable and Wireless Nautec. Martin is currently a non-executive director for Public Health England and the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency. He has previously served as a non-executive director of the National Blood Authority, National Biological Standards Board and the Health Protection Agency.

Media enquiries: Lucy Hose, 0115 748 4243 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / healthinnovation-em.org.uk / @EM_AHSN

Posted on Thursday 13th February 2014