NHS Haringey chairman reappointed until 2015 (From Haringey Independent)

NHS Haringey chairman reappointed until 2015

1:00pm Wednesday 10th November 2010 in Health By Elizabeth Pears

NHS Haringey chairman Richard Sumray will hold the post until 2015 after being reappointed.

Mr Sumray was first appointed in 2001 and has overseen a number of changes in the borough including neighbourhood health centres and defended unpopular plans to "downgrade", or reduce services, at the Whittington Hospital.

Mr Sumray said he was delighted with the decision.

He added: "The NHS is going through a tremendous period of change and I look forward to working with colleagues and the public to ensure the best possible outcome for all Haringey residents."

Mr Sumray also chairs the London 2012 forum for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

He has been a magistrate for 26 years and is also a visiting professor at the University of East London.

Until 2008, Richard was a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, having chaired the Performance and Review and led on criminal justice, child protection, drugs, rape, mental health, Olympic and Paralympic games security and public order in sport.

NHS Haringey is the Primary Care Trust (PCT) for Haringey, whose job is to commission health and social care services for everyone that lives in the borough.

Non-executive directors are appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission and have a responsibility to ensure the board acts in the best interests of the public.

The Government's White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, outlines proposals to dissolve PCTs from 2013.

While Mr. Sumray period in office extends beyond this date, it will come to an end should NHS Haringey be dissolved before 2015.