Patient Governors
Chris Birch
What do you do?
Since retiring from journalism 20 years ago, I have written three books: an account of my family going back ten generations, a history of St Kitts and Nevis, the two Caribbean islands where my ancestors settled in the 17th century and where I was born and grew up, and my autobiography. I also work as a volunteer at Westminster Abbey.
Why did you become a Governor?
I have had a long association with the hospital. My sister worked at the old St Stephen's Hospital, I was at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on the day it was officially opened by the Queen, I worked as a volunteer with the hospital's HIV patients for eight years, and I have been a regular patient, getting to know the Phlebotomy Department almost as well as my own living room. I want to give something back.
Dr Anthony Cadman
What do you do?
I retired at the end of 2007 and now consult unpaid on research and management matters. I was for 10 years the Chairman of the Institute of Dermatology, Chairman of St Johns Hospital and Vice Chairman of the NHS London Skin Hospitals. My work as a research doctor includes years of field studies for pharmaceutical interests, institutions and for 20 years I led major field research into HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Why did you become a Governor?
My experience and qualifications make me useful and suitable for the Council of Governors. I live close to the hospital, am fit and energetic, and I retain contact with a great many contacts around the world connected to the field of hospital care.
Cass J Cass-Horne
cass.cass-horne@chelwest.nhs.uk
What do you do?
Previously posts held include Senior Health Advisor, Human Resources Management, New Business Development, Line Management, Training, IT, and Marketing & Budgets. I have an excellent understanding of how governing bodies function and have played an active role in each instance. Governor posts held include Westminster Adult Education Services—London, 2004–2009 and Millbank Primary School, 2002–2006. I regularly attended governor meetings, briefing and served on several subcommittees. I made contributions towards improvements of all services while being a governor.
Why did you become a Governor?
I became a governor to contribute towards "patients' causes". Patients should be treated fairly, and with respect. Patients should be treated equally. Patients should have the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. Patients should feel confident to openly discuss how they felt about their treatment and be able to voice their opinions and grievances.
Alan Cleary
What do you do?
By background I am a senior public sector lawyer, Chief Executive and Director of Housing. A specialist in contracts, I am Contracts Manager of an international translation agency and I also hold a similar post for a mining company operating in South America. My principal role is as the Academic Director of a private Further Education College in London whose mission is to train middle managers for South-East Asia.
Why did you become a Governor?
I became a Governors because of my long experience helping people in organisations to stay ahead in their fields through innovation and by removing restrictions on the enthusiasm and achievements of local staff. I hope in some small way to help Chelsea and Westminster maintain and improve its high standards of service to patients.
Cpt Edward Coolen
What do you do?
I am a technical writer, consultant, author of the standard work on navigation and Liveryman of this City. My background is as a Master Mariner and later as a lecturer and management and business adviser. As a past Commandant of the Bangladesh Marine Academy I was also responsible for running a small town.
Why did you become a Governor?
I have a deep interest in people and my extensive experience at home and abroad enables me to communicate with people from all social levels and different ethnic/religious backgrounds and to understand their needs and problems. Having attended Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as an outpatient and inpatient in four different departments, I feel I can make a significant contribution to the human relations side of the Foundation Trust's excellent work.
Anna Hodson-Pressinger
What do you do?
I am an Art Restorer/Conservator and also an Event Organizer. At the moment I'm doing a degree at London University.
Why did you become a Governor?
As a Governor of the hospital I want to put my 10 years’ experience of attending the monthly Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) Board meetings to good use in terms of helping to improve the hospital. In addition, 10 years as my mother's carer while she was paralysed with many daily medical problems which brought her into Chelsea and Westminster Hospital have given me a huge wealth of personal knowledge and experience that will be very useful in helping me to fulfil my role as a patient representative on the Council of Governors to help enable the hospital to continue to excel.
William Marrash
What do you do?
I come from a medical family (father, mother and two sisters). With an MBA in Business Administration, I am a retired pharmaceutical industry executive—I was Regional Director for 20 countries, working for a leading multinational British pharmaceutical manufacturing company for 20 years, and then General Manager for a French multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer with a British subsidiary. In my working life, I visited many hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies and medical facilities both in the UK and abroad, was a regular reader of the British Medical Journal and The Lancet, and attended various medical conferences.
Why did you become a Governor?
An SW7 resident for 30 years, I have been a Chelsea and Westminster Hospital patient for a multitude of health problems for nearly a decade. I have therefore experienced the hospital's care in 11 departments, and am able to assess its various efficiencies by virtue of my medical orientated background and experience. I am experienced, educated, articulate and care very much about the wellbeing and welfare of the hospital, its patients and staff in serving the community very well in the future under possible challenging future NHS budgetary constraints. I understand the big picture as well as paying attention to detail, coming from a caring medical background.
Susan Maxwell
What do you do?
I am now retired from full-time work. Several years ago I volunteered to join the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) as a patient representative on their regular cleaning audits of the hospital. I am also a contributing member of their monthly PEAT committee meetings.
Why did you become a Governor?
I stood for election because, as a regular patient who continues to receive top quality care here at Chelsea and Westminster, I wanted to put something back. By being one of the Governors who give patients a voice, I hope to make a further contribution to the constructive progress of the hospital in their strides to improve the patient experience. The hospital will be going through some radical changes in the next few years with building and departmental growth. I hope to be able to put forward the patient's perspective on those elements pertaining to their care, comfort and dignity.
Wendie McWatters
What do you do?
Although officially retired, I continue to have affiliations in the media, press and film. I am actively involved in contributing proposals and ideas for features and articles in the national press. My time is also spent on my Buddhist activities, language interests and foreign travel.
Why did you become a Governor?
I come from a medical family. My father, Professor W C W Nixon, was a noted pioneer in obstetrics and gynaecology and my son is a consultant gastroenterologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Over the years I have undergone several major operations, including my stay as an inpatient at Chelsea and Westminster. This has given me good insight into patient care, hygiene, hospital food and general ward management. For many years I have helped fundraise and publicise leading medical charities.
My volunteer work at the Royal Marsden Hospital included working on the wards with ethnic minority patients and in the CT and radiotherapy departments. I hope my past and varied experience will prove helpful and beneficial.
Dr Taryn Youngstein
What do you do?
I am an NHS physician.
Why did you become a Governor?
I became a Governor as I am a local resident, a patient, the mother of a patient, and an ex-employee of the Trust, which I felt gave me a unique perspective to work to continue (and better) the already excellent patient services.
