Geoffrey Bowden appointed Chair of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove
Geoffrey is a longstanding Director of our Board, having been with Healthwatch since 2015. He currently Chairs and is a Director for a number of local charities and voluntary organisations as well as being a local broadcaster for Radio Reverb. Geoffrey is also a former City Councillor.
"It is an honour to have been asked to Chair Healthwatch Brighton and Hove. The voice of people and communities is central to the planning and delivering of local health and care services."
“As a Board Director, and now Chair, Geoffrey has offered great guidance and advice. Geoffrey is popular with our volunteers, Board and staff and holds the respect of many of our city leaders for his role in working to improve local services.
"Welcome on-board Geoffrey, I know you will be a great inspiration as Chair.”
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Geoffrey was appointed the Interim Chair after Frances McCabe stepped down on February 7th 2022. He was formally invited to accept the permanent role of Chair at a Healthwatch Brighton and Hove Board meeting on 8th August 2022.
Geoffrey has been a Director of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove since October 2015. His six year tenure was extended in 2021 by one year to ensure business continuity at a time when a number of other Directors were also standing down. Geoffrey will hold the role of Chair for up to 3 years in line with the organisation’s Articles of Association.
Geoffrey has developed a successful healthcare communications business and has advised numerous healthcare organisations, including the Patients’ Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). As a former Councillor, he also has significant experience of health and social care scrutiny and was a member of the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board.
If you have access, you can read more about Geoffrey's background, achievements, and roles on his Linkedin profile. Otherwise, please see the attached summary of positions held.
Geoffrey also said today:
""At a time when many of those services and their excellent staff are challenged by the legacy of COVID, coupled with long waiting lists and some services more difficult to access, the need for Healthwatch has probably never been more acute.
"My aim will be that we continue to review and challenge to ensure improved care for local people. We will work in partnership with local Healthwatch teams, health and care services and the newly formed Integrated Care Service for Sussex, at all times putting the voice of patients at the heart of service design and delivery.
We will provide evidence based reports and give praise where it is deserved. But we will also act on our statutory duty to hold decision makers to account and make sure they keep their promises to local people."
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For comment and interview please contact:
David Liley, Chief Executive, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove on 07931 755 343 and david@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
or
Geoffrey Bowden, Chair, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove on 07958 682 683 and chair@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
Broadcast media: our spokesperson will be available for pre-recorded interviews either down-the-line, for radio or for television via online platforms. Should broadcasters wish to have a representative in a studio Healthwatch will try to accommodate such requests and expects interviews to be conducted in accordance with Government COVID-19 guidelines.