New Interim Chair for Healthwatch

Chair of Healthwatch England, Sir Robert Francis, has left, bidding farewell to Healthwatch, commenting: “Thank you for your incredibly hard work in promoting the voice of people who use and need health and care services. Since Healthwatch was created, the network has come a long way in effectively reaching out to those whose voices need to be heard but often are not.”

Belinda Black has been appointed as the interim Chair of the Healthwatch England Committee. Belinda, who is a Non-Executive Member of the Care Quality Commission, will hold the position until a permanent Chair is appointed by the Government.

Belinda is a registered mental health nurse who has worked extensively in health and social care. She has also held senior roles in the NHS, independent and charity sectors, including as chief executive of Sheffcare, a Sheffield-based adult social care charity. She has also worked on many national projects establishing best practice for older people with multiple long-term conditions and people living with dementia.

The Government is currently recruiting a permanent replacement. The new appointee will be both Chair of Healthwatch England and a Non-Executive Member of the Care Quality Commission.