New non-executive director for NHS Foundation Trust

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The Members’ Council for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, has appointed a new non-executive director. The Council made the decision to formally appoint Huddersfield man, Peter Aspinall, during their inaugural meeting after the Trust was officially authorised as a Foundation Trust on 1st May.

A Foundation Trust is a different kind of NHS organisation, which gives people who use services, and those living in local communities, the chance to help shape how the Trust’s services are developed and delivered. This is done via the Members’ Council, which is made up of an elected group of representatives including public members, staff members and people from local partner organisations. The Council represents local people and plays an important role in influencing key decisions affecting the organisation.

During the meeting held at the National Children’s Centre in Huddersfield, the Members’ Council, made up of 39 elected and appointed representatives, made several important decisions about how the council will work in the future. One of these was to formally appoint new non executive director, Peter Aspinall, a business management executive.

Trust chair and leader of the Members’ Council Joyce Catterick said, "Working with the Members’ Council is really exciting and I’m delighted that local people are having a voice in the big decisions we make as an organisation. We are pleased to have Peter Aspinall formally on board. Peter has worked locally as a finance director in the carpet industry and has good connections in the community. He has also been working as part of the Board in a non-executive designate capacity since the Autumn and brings a wealth of skills and experience to the Trust. He has already made a valuable contribution and I have no doubt he will continue to do so in the future.

She continued, "Being a Foundation Trust and having a Members’ Council is all and about giving people more say in issues that affect them. Our first meeting saw some big decisions being made about the future of the council and how it will work. It’s great to be working as part of a team of people who all want the best for the Trust and the people who use its services."

New non-executive director for NHS Foundation Trust

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