New Chairman steps into role at Healthwatch Isle of Wight
Bob Pitts, currently a Non-Executive Director at Healthwatch Isle of Wight has taken over the role of chairman from Chris Orchin who has held the post since 2015.
The Community Interest Company (CIC), which works to champion the needs, experiences and concerns of local people in relation to health and social care services, was established in 2013 under the Health and Social Care Act to replace its forerunner LINK.
In 2015 Chris Orchin, Chairman of LINK was appointed to take on the lead role in the new organisation having a wealth of experience and knowledge of health and local authority services, equality and diversity legislation and voluntary organisations in the UK and overseas.
Eight years later and Healthwatch Isle of Wight has listened to over 9,000 stories from local people and helped improve local health and care services: from increasing trainings around suicide prevention and mental health to improving the quality of care in care homes - winning three national awards in the process.
Joanna Smith, Healthwatch Isle of Wight Manager said: “Chris has been a driving force behind Healthwatch Isle of Wight over the last eight years and has helped us to become one of the best of local Healthwatch organisations in the south, if not the country and we are truly grateful for his leadership. While we are thrilled that he is not stepping away from working with us completely and will remain a director of the company taking on projects of special interest, he has rightly earned some additional personal time to enjoy his writing and photography.
“We are also delighted that Bob has agreed to step into the role of Chairman. Bob has already played a key role in championing the voice of local people, in particular in relation to community mental health needs. We look forward to continuing working with him to tackle some of the pressing health and social care experiences and concerns that people share with us.”
Speaking of his role Chris said: “Throughout my career my focus has, in one way or another, been on helping others and it’s been a privilege to have found a way to continue to do that through the important work of Healthwatch Isle of Wight. It’s time to hand over the leadership reins now, but I look forward to continuing to support the voice of the Island community and ensuring local decisions genuinely meet the needs of the local population.”
Bob, who also has an impressive record of work in NHS Foundation Trusts, local government and police authority bodies and private care providers officially took up the role of Chairman on 26th October.
Bob said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this position and to help continue to support Jo in ensuring those running services put people at the heart of care. I’d like to also see more young people involved in Healthwatch Isle of Wight and will be exploring ways in which we can achieve that.
“I’m keen that more people are encouraged to talk to us about their experiences. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. If it matters to you, it’s likely to matter to someone else too.”
To get in touch with Healthwatch Isle of Wight call 01983 608 608 (Monday-Friday, 09.00-17.00), or email enquiries@healthwatchisleofwight.co.uk or write to Freepost RTGR-BKRU-KUEL Healthwatch Isle of Wight, The Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport. Isle of Wight. PO30 2QR.
