Our Board

Our Board

Judith Bromfield

Judith started her career in the civil service before being involved in both the community health councils and public health.

She has been Chief Officer of Richmondshire CVS for 10 years, and has a good understanding of the needs and issues faced by rural communities.

Judith is committed to supporting and enabling effective dialogue between service providers, service users and the general public and an advocate of community participation in shaping and influencing health and social care.

Agnes Crutchard

I live at the crossroad between North Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Lancashire, where I have been involved for more than 10 years in the community life through the support of local fundraising initiatives, destined to improve the lives of children (e.g. equipment for schools and play areas). After a three-year break, I am now ready to return to voluntary work in a role that I find fulfilling, to gain a better knowledge of patients' and public expectations of their health and care system, and to give my time to support them in accessing and benefiting from such systems to improve their lives.

I have built close collaborations with NHS organisations in Yorkshire, academics and industry, all involved in the development of solutions to improve patient care. This has also enabled me to witness the impact that technology can have in improving the delivery of care and has given me an insight into the way these organisations provide services to patients.

I worked for nearly 10 years, for international geopolitics and cleantech companies, developing new technologies to improve people’s lives.

John Cunningham

John has 25 years expertise in geopolitics and clean tech project development. He has vast international experience, having operated across the US, Middle East, FSU, Europe and Africa. He has a successful track record in raising funds for and the development of innovative technology and has project-managed in Africa, the US and Europe. A geo-political expert, he has worked closely with financial groups and private equity advising them on risk mitigation overseas and the development of their investment portfolios, with particular reference to emerging markets.

Robert Peacock

I am very pleased to be a lay member of the Healthwatch Board and use my career experience working in the NHS and working with many organisations that support health and social care. I started my career as a radiographer in Sheffield and closely involved in major advances in diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound, CT, MRI and digital x-ray. 

I am passionate about patient choice and that health professionals recognise the importance of patient centred care. I am a member of our GP practice Patient Participation Group, CCG Patient Representation Group, Parish Councillor and Basics Plus management board. I am also heavily involved with building community and volunteer links across the Derwent Valley area through the BRIDGE Community Resource Centre based in West Ayton.

Pat Southgate

I am a retired nurse of 44 years, experienced in many nursing roles. The last 30 years working as a Community Public Health nurse, working with families and their communities.

I have also held several strategic/Board level roles within large NHS organisations in Acute Care, Mental Health, Community,  Primary Care, and several years working for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC,  nursing’s regulatory body, as a member of their Fitness To Practice Panels, and latterly as a NMC Council Board member for England, elected by my peers. I am currently a Board member, York Housing Association, and until recently, a Local Authority Governor of Sheriff Hutton school.

I am a volunteer within York and Scarborough NHS hospital Trust, and also Martin House Hospice.

Throughout my varied professional experience,  I have recognised that ‘health inequalities’ are ultimately differences in the status of people’s health, however fundamentally its the social, economic and environmental conditions in which people live that impact on their health, Covid 19 has certainly highlighted these underpinning health inequalities.

Lee Adams

Lee worked for 30 years in the NHS in public health and commissioning in several places around England and at national level . She spent the last ten years before retirement as a senior manager in local government in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. Lee is currently on the national committee at Healthwatch England. Lee is experienced in equalities and governance as well as policy and performance in public service . She has a strong track record in transformation .

Lee is particularly interested in citizen participation, democracy and tackling the root causes of ill health as well as improving public service.  She lives in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire and she and her family have lived experience of several NHS services.

Linda Wolstenholme

I spent much of my working life as a non-clinical manager in the NHS.

Roles included: service planning/contracting; financial management; hospital services; primary care; GPs out of hours; a dental practice/urgent dental care; joint working e.g. with social services/local communities/NHS England. At retirement, I was managing the NHS 111 urgent dental booking service (Yorkshire & Humber).

I have personal experience of social care, from a family perspective, and have worked as a volunteer in a nursing home. I am also currently involved in the work of the NHS England Cancer Programme.

As a Healthwatch volunteer, I enjoyed working across a wide range of projects and providing valuable insights, and I look forward to engaging with more volunteers.

As a Board member, I hope to help Healthwatch progress its aims - to improve access to and the quality of health and care services for people living across North Yorkshire.