Northamptonshire County Council appoints Professor Nick Petford as Chair of Health and Wellbeing Board

Northamptonshire County Council’s Full Council has appointed Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton, as the new Chair of the Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board.

The aim of the Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board is to secure better health and wellbeing outcomes in the region, better quality of care for all their patients and care users, and better value for the taxpayer. In doing so, it brings together the NHS, local councils, the Police and other services.

Professor Petford has been a Vice Chair of the board since its inception in 2013 and was an original member of the precursor shadow board.

Speaking of his appointment, Professor Petford said: “The University is a key provider of the healthcare workforce for the county and played a fundamental role developing the current health and wellbeing strategy for Northamptonshire. The University also helps through providing research that informs evidence-based policy.

“There is however an urgent need for health and wellbeing at a strategic level to deliver the whole system approach to service transformation it was set up to do. I have every confidence the board will rise to this challenge and put best value, and the people of Northamptonshire, first.”

Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing Cllr Cecile Irving-Swift, who is also a member of the board, said: “The Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board brings together key partners from the relevant agencies to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people across the county and to achieve closer integration of health and wellbeing services.

“I’m delighted to welcome Nick Petford as our new chairman and look forward to working with him and the other board members over the coming months.”