Published on: 25th May 2018
A newly appointed NHS non-executive director says the time is right to raise the profile of mental health services across Lincolnshire.
Hugh Howe, has just joined the Board of Directors at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and he wants to spearhead continued quality improvements for patients and carers across the county.
Following a long and successful career in education including heading schools and a chain of academies, Mr Howe brings a wealth of experience including learning from the NHS Improvement NExT director scheme. His contribution to education in Sheffield was recognised with a CBE.
On taking up his appointment earlier this month, he said he was really looking forward to getting to grips with his new role.
All public sector organisations, including the NHS, are going through challenging times. My experience is that they can rise to these challenges, he said.
I want to bring my skills to the Board to help to continue to improve mental health services for patients, carers and families across the whole of Lincolnshire.
We need to ensure that the Trust continues to focus on delivering the highest quality of care, whilst innovating and adapting to the changes in the local health economy.
Non-executive directors sit on the full LPFT Board of Directors and are jointly responsible for setting its objectives and scrutinising its performance.
In NHS foundation trusts they serve terms of three years and can only serve a maximum of six years, which helps to ensure regular refreshing, independent challenge and new ideas.
Mr Howe said that he was also excited to get out and about to meet Trust staff and patients to experience first-hand, the kind of services LPFT has to offer.
At last, mental health services are receiving the higher profile, both nationally and locally, that they deserve, he added.
I look forward to working with the Board and staff to make sure we take advantage of this and continue to deliver first-class services across the county.
Trust Chair Paul Devlin said:
Hugh’s appointment helps to further bolster the vast experience we already have sitting on our Board of Directors.
I would like to congratulate him and look forward to working with Hugh in the coming months.
Our new non-executive will play a key role in helping to deliver best standard of care for those who struggle with serious mental health problems in our communities.
