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Our Chair | Bob Pitts 

Bob brings extensive experience of working in both the Public and Private sectors. He retired from the Civil Service in 2009 after 21 years and since then has been a Councillor and Borough Mayor, becoming involved in health as a governor of the Royal Berkshire Hospital and a governor of Berkshire Healthcare. He has been interested and involved in Mental Health since the birth of his son over 50 years ago, who has Learning Difficulties. He was also a non-executive director and then Chairman of a social care company.

Bob is a Member of the Institute of Health and Social Care Managers and a Mental Health First Aider. He has completed courses in Adult Safeguarding and Children’s Safeguarding. He is currently undertaking courses in Suicide and Self-harm and is due to undertake a Suicide First-aid course early next year.

With two degrees in archaeology, he is also a Trustee of the Vectis Archaeological Trust, the Friends of Brading Roman Villa and the Association for the Study and Preservation of Roman Mosaics.

 

His current responsibilities within Healthwatch IOW, are Finance and Mental Health, with a focus on Suicide Prevention.

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Chris Orchin | Non-executive Director

 

Chris has a background in Health Service Management on the Isle of Wight from 1975 to 1993 in the areas of mental health, learning disability and community-based services.

Subsequently he was a lecturer on the Isle of Wight in Business Management studies and acted as an advisor at Citizens Advice before becoming Chair of the Isle of Wight Local Involvement Network (LINk) from 2011-2013 and is a keen digital photographer.

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Neil Bolton-Heaton | Executive Director

 

Neil is the Head of Healthwatch at Help and Care and holds responsibility for Healthwatch in Hampshire; Wokingham; Slough; Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead, and Bracknell Forest. Neil has worked across the health, social care and social enterprise sectors at both operational and strategic level. Neil is passionate about quality service experience and in ensuring voice and representation in the design, development and delivery of health and social care services.

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Alison Geddes | Non Executive Director | Deputy Chair

Alison has been an Occupational Therapist for 35 years. After moving to the island 22 years ago she worked for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust for 10 years, and also for Mountbatten Hospice, and then as a Commissioning Manager for the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group for 12 years.  She was involved in setting up Shopmobility on the island and more recently has been volunteering for the RNID, undertaking hearing aid maintenance. 

She is a keen gardener and a Methodist Local Preacher.  Alison believes that equity of effective healthcare provision is crucial.

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Gill Kennett | Non-executive Director 

 

I was fortunate enough to work in the NHS as a Registered General Nurse and a Registered Midwife for 35 years.  My working career has been based on the Island and I became the Associate Director for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  Following retirement I worked part-time for the My Life a Full Life programme. I have always championed women’s health and undertook a MSc Course in Health Promotion at the University of Southampton which enabled me to have a deeper understanding of Public Health.    

Board meetings

Our board meetings are all held in public. Booking is essential to ensure there is enough space available.

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Our policies

Conflict of interest policy
Easy read - Conflict of interest policy
Decision making policy