Private care trade body appoints new chair
The Independent Healthcare Providers Network’s (IHPN’s) new chairwoman is former Tory MP and Government minister Seema Kennedy, replacing Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford.
Former minister Seema Kennedy
Under Theresa May’s premiership, she was Immigration Minister and Public Health Minister, and previously Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister between 2017 and 2019, responsible for relations between MPs and Downing Street during the Brexit negotiations.
While MP for South Ribble in Lancashire, she co-chaired the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission and earlier worked as a lawyer in the City with involvement on projects including the Emirates Stadium and St Bart’s Hospital.
She said: ‘Healthcare professionals in the independent sector have played a vital role in recent years. They’ve supported the health of the nation through the pandemic, and now, often working in partnership with the NHS, are leading the way during a challenging period of recovery.
‘I will play my part to ensure our members and their staff continue to play an essential role in tackling care backlogs and that NHS and private patients are able to access timely, high quality care.’
IHPN chief executive David Hare said: ‘She has a wealth of experience in the commercial and political worlds and a real understanding of the challenges and opportunities which face the sector and our members.’
