Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath, has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of NHS Improvement, the new national body responsible for delivering improvement in the NHS.
NHS Improvement launched on 1st April and brings together the NHS Trust Development Authority, Monitor, and teams from NHS England who look at patient safety and improvement.
It will oversee providers of NHS care including foundation trusts, NHS trusts and independent providers.
In addition to her experience of leading one of the UK’s most successful universities with a growing international reputation for the quality of its academic research and student experience, Dame Glynis is one of Europe’s foremost social psychologists and an active public policy adviser and researcher specialising in leadership, identity processes and risk management.
This appointment aligns well with the University of Bath’s research strengths and expertise.
In the University’s School of Management, the Bath Centre for Healthcare Innovation & Improvement (CHI2) is addressing complex challenges facing the UK’s health and social care systems, whilst experts in Health and Psychology are leading research into areas such as behaviour change and mental health interventions; sport, health & exercise science; tobacco control; and work, health & wellbeing.
Commenting on her appointment, Dame Glynis said: “The NHS is one of the most important organisations in our lives.
“I am delighted to be asked to contribute to its work through NHS Improvement. There are many challenges ahead and I believe that there is a vital role for our universities through their research and their development of health and social care professionals.”
The new board of NHS Improvement, chaired by Ed Smith, includes eight Non-Executive Directors of whom three, including Professor Breakwell, are new appointments made by the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt.
Chair of NHS Improvement, Ed Smith said: “NHS Improvement gives us an opportunity to support providers to make real change for patients.
“I’m delighted to welcome those members who’ve joined our board, adding their expertise and knowledge to that we’ve brought over from the NHS Trust Development Authority and from Monitor.”