Changes at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly: New Board Member

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) has announced significant changes to its leadership team with the appointment of Dr Smitesh Patel as the new statutory Primary Care & Medical Services board member.

Dr Smitesh Patel Joins the Board

Dr Smitesh Patel, who currently serves as a GP at Oak Tree & Pensilva Surgery in South East Cornwall and as the Clinical Director for East Cornwall Primary Care Network, has been appointed to the board, effective immediately. Dr Patel brings with him an extensive clinical background across both primary and secondary care sectors. In addition to his local roles, he is also involved in remote consulting to support strategic and business development in other Primary Care Networks and serves on the Cornwall GP Collaborative Board.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new role, Dr Patel stated, “I am delighted to be joining the ICB as statutory Primary Care & Medical Services board member and am looking forward to working closely with my fellow members to shape Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s health services so that people can live longer, happier, healthier lives.”

A Farewell to Dr Andy Sant

Dr Andy Sant is stepping down after serving a two-year tenure in the same role. His contributions over the past two years have been acknowledged and appreciated by the board.

John Govett, Chair of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, expressed gratitude towards Dr Sant and welcomed Dr Patel, saying, “We welcome Dr Patel to the Board and the wealth of experience he brings to the role. We also thank Dr Andy Sant for his support over the two years he served on the Board. We recognise that primary care and medical services, in their broadest sense, are the bedrock of our health services, and a strong voice representing this sector is therefore crucial in feeding into and influencing our board decisions.”

Reappointments to Strengthen the Board

Alongside Dr Patel’s appointment, the ICB has also announced the reappointment of three partner members who will each serve an additional term of two years. These members are:

• Ali Bulman, Council and local authority partner member and strategic director for care and wellbeing in Cornwall
• Debbie Richards, Mental health partner member and chief executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Steve Williamson, NHS Provider partner member and chief executive of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

These reappointments are expected to provide continuity and stability within the board, ensuring that the ICB can continue its mission to enhance the quality of healthcare services for the residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

These changes mark a significant step for the ICB as it continues to focus on improving primary care and medical services in the region.