Senior Leaders Form New Integrated Health and Care Advisory Board

Key Takeaways

The Access Group has launched an integrated health and care advisory board with three senior NHS leaders.
Dr Harpreet Sood, Professor Joe McDonald, and Dr Rowan Sil are the inaugural members, bringing extensive healthcare expertise.
The board aims to enhance productivity and outcomes in NHS and social care, aligning with government integration goals.

New Advisory Board Established by The Access Group

The Access Group has created an integrated health and care advisory board, launching in February 2025, with the goal of assisting NHS and social care organizations in achieving productivity savings and improved service outcomes. This initiative aligns with the UK government’s focus on integrated health and care systems.

The first three members of this advisory board are prominent NHS figures: Dr Harpreet Sood, Professor Joe McDonald, and Dr Rowan Sil. Their collective expertise is expected to support Access Group’s mission to bridge the gap between technology and care delivery, addressing the prevalent challenges in the healthcare sector.

Steve Wightman, general manager of health and integrated care at Access HSC, noted the difficulties organizations face in fully leveraging technology across care systems. Many have the right solutions but lack the means to integrate them effectively. The board’s formation is seen as a strategic move to enhance collaborations with local providers, regional commissioners, and government entities.

Dr Harpreet Sood, a practicing GP and former associate chief clinical information officer (CCIO) at NHS England, will use his knowledge in policy and technology to foster relationships with key stakeholders. His goal is to help Access engage effectively with officials and clinicians.

Professor Joe McDonald, a psychiatrist with three decades of experience and former national clinical lead for IT at NHS, is set to work closely with the electronic patient record (EPR) community. He will contribute to the implementation of the next generation of Rio software and new features, including AI-driven clinical dictation. McDonald emphasized the need for mental health services to receive greater focus and support within the NHS, stating that his position allows him to advocate for these crucial services effectively.

Dr Rowan Sil, a GP and current CCIO for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB), will play a key role in utilizing the vast datasets that Access holds. He aims to help ICBs leverage this information to enhance patient safety, thereby fulfilling the government’s objective of breaking down data silos.

The advisory board is scheduled to meet for the first time during the Digital Health Rewired 2025 event, taking place on March 18-19 at the NEC in Birmingham. The Access Group is a co-headline sponsor of this event, which aims to foster dialogue and innovation in the health and care sectors. Attendance for NHS and public sector professionals will be free, while private sector tickets are available for a fee.

Overall, this initiative represents a significant step towards strengthening the connection between technology and healthcare delivery, with the goal of improving the efficiency and outcomes for patients throughout the NHS.

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