NHS ELECT

Caroline Dove, Programme Director/ CEO
Caroline Dove, joined the NHS as a graduate trainee on the national management training scheme in 1989. Since then she has enjoyed a varied career, working largely in secondary care in both operational and strategic management. Working as a general manager in teaching and district general hospitals, Caroline led the operational development of the UK’s first treatment centre at Central Middlesex Hospital.

Known for her work on modernisation as part of the Central Middlesex team, Caroline then moved to the London Regional Office as Head of Health Services Development for the capital. Here she led a London-wide programme of service improvement, also acting as an advisor to national teams on issues such as booking and clinical services redesign.

Caroline has worked at Director-level in several organisations, most recently working as Director of Services at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, a teaching hospital in west London. Caroline was the Executive Director responsible for performance in the year that Chelsea and Westminster first became a ‘three-star’ Trust.  Caroline joined NHS Elect in 2003 and, with the then NHS Elect Chair, Derek Smith, created the organisation in its current form.

From an initial membership of four sites, Caroline and the NHS Elect team have expanded and developed the network to a membership of over 40 sites in 2008. In addition to leading the NHS Elect programme, Caroline also continues to work extensively with members on service improvement, the development of clinical services strategies and training and development, in particular around business planning and understanding policy drivers. She also leads part of the national work on orthopaedics and works across the NHS supporting performance improvement in musculoskeletal services.

Eilis Parker, Director
Eilis Parker made the transition from Chartered Physiotherapist to General Manager in 1999 after working as the first non-medical clinical director at University College London Hospitals. After successfully completing a job as general manager for Trauma & Orthopaedics, she left the trust in 2001 to join Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals as General Manager for Surgery. In 2003 she left the trust to join North West London Strategic Health Authority as Patients Choice Lead.

She joined NHS Elect in 2004 where she leads our Service Improvement and 18 weeks programme and NHS Elect’s support to the national 18 weeks programme for the Department of Health. Eilis has extensive experience of pathway development linking clinical best practice, benchmarking, audit and primary care commissioning with the aim of supporting trusts, commissioners and GPs in delivering care pathways that demonstrate high quality and value for money, and was the Project Lead for several of the 18w Commissioning Pathways, including fertility, general surgery and dermatology. She completed the Masters Degree in Health Management programme at City University in 2001.

Jim Timpson, Director
After a successful sales & marketing career in the IT recruitment industry Jim joined the NHS via the national management training scheme. Over the next ten years he managed an extensive range of hospital functions including capital projects, performance and service redesign as well as running a sequence of clinical services from orthopaedics to A&E. Jim joined NHS Elect with the aim of combining his commercial grounding and NHS experience to develop a programme addressing the commercial deregulation of the NHS and the opportunities provided by the emergence of an Independent Sector in NHS provision.

The contestable market programme has evolved over the last two years through a mixture of hands on projects and the development of related legal and commercial seminars. Hands on projects have included being seconded to a major healthcare insurer to work on their bid for the commissioning framework contract, developing market engagement strategies for provider Trusts, setting up the back office systems for a consultant chambers and designing primary care based surgery service models for PCTs. Jim has also designed and commissioned a suite of legal seminars on NHS market deregulation, social enterprise, vires issues and consultant chambers to support NHS Elect members in developing their corporate strategies. In addition to this Jim has supported NHS Elect stakeholders through work as the interim Director of Commissioning at Croydon PCT and project management on the development of the recently published Department of Health Audiology Framework.

Sue Kong, Director
Sue Kong joined NHS Elect in April 2005 as their Director leading on the marketing of NHS Services and assisting the Department of Health with the Gastroenterology 18 weeks commissioning pathways. Sue has developed with the Chartered Institute of Marketing a marketing development programme for NHS staff to meet the market challenges of the new NHS. Prior to joining NHS Elect, Sue was Executive Director for Strategy and Planning at North West London Strategic Health Authority.

Sue has an MBA (distinction) specialising in marketing and is a Chartered Marketer. Sue has chaired the Health Service Journal annual NHS marketing conference and has advised the Health Service Journal and Veredus Consulting on their market strategy and strategic development. Sue has published in Journal of Management and Marketing in Healthcare and has led overseas study tours for NHS Elect members to see best practice in marketing and operational efficiency.

Elliot Howard-Jones, Director
Elliot Howard-Jones has worked in the NHS since 1995, initially as an operational manager at the University College London Hospitals in Orthopaedics and Rheumatology. He held a range of senior operational positions within the Trust, including General Manager for General Surgery, Gastroenterology and Maxillo-facial Surgery. In October 2000, he joined International Hospitals Group (IHG) as a Senior Management Consultant working on a range of healthcare projects nationally and internationally providing support to healthcare providers to ensure that efficient management processes supported quality delivery of health services.

In 2002, Elliot left IHG to establish his own Interim Management and Consultancy Company providing senior support to both primary and secondary care organisations. He has provided support as a Director of Commissioning in a number of PCTs, working with them on Payment by Results, demand management programmes and developing the Choice agenda. He has also worked in the acute sector as a Director of Strategy aiding a Trust in their Foundation Trust application, and setting the Trust’s strategic direction.

Elliot’s areas of interest are strategic resource utilisation in healthcare projects to ensure that frameworks are set to ensure that NHS initiatives act as drivers for change in the system.

Elliot leads the network’s support to PCTs on commissioning and provider services, and is interested in how non-NHS organisations can support the development agenda.

Paul Thomas, Director
Paul Thomas joined NHS Elect to support the expansion of the programme having joined the NHS in 1991 working in information and contracting before moving on to operational management. Paul has held a number of operational roles managing a range of medical and surgical and medical specialties including Urology, General Surgery, Cardiac, Orthopaedics, Emergency Medicine and A&E. Paul has also worked in PCTs and, for a number of years worked in interim posts supporting Trusts and PCTs in performance and service improvement and strategic planning.

Paul left the NHS in 2004 to pursue a career working independently in an interim management and consultancy capacity. He has provided commissioning support including management of SLA rounds. He has also worked for a Strategic Health Authorities developing clinical engagement for the Independent Sector Diagnostics Procurement and providing project support for the Foundation Trust Pipeline FT application process. Paul’s other roles have changed models of care and prepared clinical services for the tendering process. An experienced facilitator, Paul also leads NHS Elect’s work with clinical teams on reviewing and improving local care pathways.

Anne Gibbs, Director (shared post with West Middlesex University Hospital)
Anne joined NHS Elect in 2008 and combines her role alongside the post of Director of Business Development at the West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust where she is responsible for leading on marketing strategy and service development. Previously, Anne held the post of Director of Development and Marketing at Birmingham Women’s Health Care NHS Foundation Trust leading the Trust through a successful Foundation Trust application and supporting the development of business cases to increase income efficiency and improve services. Before joining Birmingham Women’s, Anne has held a number of operational roles within in London acute hospitals particularly related to women’s and children’s services.

Anne now leads our work with members applying to become Foundation Trusts, including support for formulating a 5 year strategy, development of Integrated Business Plans and Board development. Anne also supports Sue Kong on our marketing programme with a particular interest in skills development to support an integrated marketing approach within healthcare.

Nicola Chandler, Assistant Director
Nicola has over 15 years’ experience in the NHS and has worked in a variety of roles in the community, acute and PCT sectors. During that time, she has gained considerable operational management experience, together with contracting, service planning, strategy development and implementation, change management and whole systems redesign. Most recently she led the successful implementation of 18 weeks across a whole health economy in one of the largest PCTs in the country.

Nicola joined NHS Elect in December 2008 to support the development and implementation of practical solutions to the ideas generated by the team.

Marvin Nyadzayo, Programme Support Manager
Marvin is currently on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, and joined NHS Elect in October 2008 having previously completed a year placement as Assistant Business Manager for KingsPath (Kings College NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Pathology Lab) working on service improvement in the Phlebotomy departments following reconfiguration between the South East London PCT’s and GP’s services. Marvin also supported the London Procurement Project’s Statutory and Mandatory Training Framework Tender awarded on the 7th of November 2008 across London SHA. The framework will support all 74 London Trusts (73 +SHA) to access improved rates for Statutory and Mandatory Training as part of a collaborative purchasing agreement, and will also support the transition of staff between trusts via a Training Passport Mechanism.

While at NHS Elect, Marvin will be supporting the directors on various projects over the next year. Marvin background is in Mental Health Nursing where he worked in Acute in Patients, Psychiatric Intensive Care, Community Nursing and Eating Disorders which he hopes to exploit in supporting the 18 weeks pathway for Mental Health project team. As well as a background in healthcare, Marvin is a qualified Graphic Designer with experience in advertising which ties in with his areas of interest, Branding & Marketing, performance management, and service re-design.

Lyn Hill-Tout, Chair
Lyn Hill-Tout joined the NHS in 1974 as a Ward Clerk. Since then she has enjoyed a varied NHS career, working mainly in acute hospitals. Her first general management post was in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in 1984. She supplemented her practical management experience by undertaking a part time Business Studies degree and then gained a degree in Personnel Management

In 1991 Lyn moved to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol and worked initially as General Manager for regional Neurosciences services and then became the General Manager for surgery which included regional Plastics & Burns and Thoracic Surgery.

In 1997 she moved to Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust as Director of Operations. Part of her role was planning the transfer of services to the Great Western Hospital which was part of a new build Private Finance Initiative hospital (PFI). In March 2003 Lyn was appointed as Chief Executive of the Trust. One of her first jobs was to extend the PFI contract and build an NHS Treatment Centre, adjacent to the hospital for the treatment of elective patients, which is when she became associated with NHS Elect.

Deborah Hamilton
Bringing international public sector know-how
Over the past 6 years, Deborah has lived in Tanzania, East Africa and now the Bay Area California, following a career as an HR Director in the NHS. She has carried out a number of assignments for the Department of International Development and other Non-Governmental Organisations in East Africa, and now concentrates on the sharing of good practice between US and UK healthcare providers. Deborah works with NHS Elect to deliver an innovative training and development programme to improve patient experience and planning the US Study Trips.

Amanda Layton
Delivering high quality Integrated Care Pathways training and management development
Amanda Layton, the Director of Layton Learning, is a clinical manager with over 30 years of extensive NHS experience including leading training and development programmes for senior clinical and managerial staff across London. She is an acknowledged national leader in the development and use of Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) in the NHS, and has published widely on this subject including a book on developing and implementing ICPs. Amanda regularly coaches senior staff and is licensed to use MBTI, Firo B, the NHS Leadership Qualities Framework 360 feedback tool and is NLP advanced practitioner, which supports her skills as a change agent and her work with leading and developing teams.

Krystyna Ruszkiewicz
Introducing innovative workforce and OD solutions
Krystyna set up her own specialist HR and OD consultancy in 2004 and works with a number of health care employers, predominantly in the NHS but also in the independent sector and overseas. With 18 years NHS experience, she was an HR Director for over 10 years, most recently at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Trust, and previously at the Royal Marsden NHS Trust.

Recent assignments have included working with the independent sector on the Wave 1 and Wave 2 Diagnostic and Treatment Centres, and various HR/OD assignments for public and private sector clients, such as team assessment and development, career coaching and the development and implementation of new management and organisational arrangements. Her particular expertise is in developing innovative workforce and organisational models which improve the delivery of healthcare.

Stewart Stanley
Bringing the best blue chip company and healthcare service marketing experience
Since graduating with a special honours degree in physiology from Bristol University Stewart has worked in the healthcare sector. Working in the pharmaceutical industry, his career embraced production, sales, marketing and general management culminating in board appointments with the UK subsidiaries of blue chip global companies. He gained an MBA whilst working for Johnson and Johnson and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

For the past 10 years he has run a consultancy company working with organisations operating in the healthcare sector. Projects have included training of healthcare providers (NHS and independent) and personnel in supplier organisations. He facilitates an annual programme of workshops on behalf of the medical/healthcare industry sector group within the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Paul Taylor
Delivering easy-to-understand whole system financial advice
Paul Taylor is a management consultant who specialises in financial support to the NHS on a wide variety of topics. He is currently working in conjunction with Martin Davies and Paul Elkin, similarly experienced healthcare professionals. He is currently working for the NHS West Midlands establishing the Commissioning Business Support Agency (CBSA) on behalf of all of the 17 PCTs in that health economy.

Paul has held a number of senior positions in the NHS before his recent move to the private sector. Amongst these he has been the Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This Trust includes Kidderminster Hospital and an early wave PFI at Worcester. Before that he held the position of Director of Finance at Coventry Health Authority for several years, and Project Director for GP Fund Holding for the West Midlands RHA.

Paul is a member of the National HfMA Financial Management and Research Committee and Chairman of the West Midlands Research Sub-Committee. He is the co-author of the HfMA Booklet “A Guide to Accounting Standards”, author of a chapter in the “Introductory Guide to NHS Finance” and co-author of the PbR publication “Home Thoughts from Abroad”. He was the winner of the 2006 “Outstanding Contribution to HfMA” Award.

Mike Tomlinson
Delivering e-marketing solutions for NHS organisations
Mike Tomlinson began his career as a television producer and science writer with broadcasters such as the BBC, Channel Four, and WGBH (Boston), specialising in documentaries on science, health and medical subjects for series such as Horizon, Equinox and Nova.

For the past ten years, Mike has focussed particularly on producing content for new media platforms such as the Internet with his production company Orlando Media. He has also worked as a stills photographer and journalist and writes for newspapers, magazines and specialist publications.

He works as consultant Creative Director with NHS Elect and its members, developing communications and marketing content across the full range of media from websites to printed publications.

Dr Ken Walton
Championing better integration between primary and secondary care
Dr Ken Walton FRCP(UK) is a General Practitioner and is PEC chair of Harrow PCT where he is also the Caldicott Guardian. He works as a Hospital Practitioner in Respiratory Medicine at Northwick Park Hospital and has clinical interests in Diabetes and Dermatology. He was previously Chair of the National Torex User Group and retains an interest in NHS IT.