New Health Network

The New Health Network describes itself as:

An independent organisation made up of many professional groups who try to "benefit all patients and the public health" through networking together to work towards a sustainable modernisation of the NHS.

Brings medicine, management, politics and business together to debate and improve health and healthcare.

"Works to shape a future where the NHS fulfils its potential for all patients"

"Network across professions and organisations to put the NHS and the people who use it on centre stage"

"The New Health Network was established in 1999 by health professionals to promote positive change in the NHS. It is now a broad coalition of individuals and organisations strongly committed to sustainable health service modernisation."

Aims of New Health Network

The New Health Network has a number of aims in place so that they can help every patient make the most of the NHS service.

The network aims to do this by:

• policy and practice driven by patient needs
• good practice shared and built upon
• all NHS change benefiting patients and the publichealth
• staff, patients and the public actively involved in improving health policy
• society celebrating NHS success

2005 Election Manifesto

The New Health Network wants the government and successive ones to change and enhance the NHS.

They want government to:

• Pledge that the NHS will remain free at the point of use available to all according to need not ability to pay;
• Ensure that policy and practice is driven by patient needs not political or professional self-interest;
• Involve staff, patients and the public in improving health policy.

In particular it wants to see:

• Sustained investment in cutting waiting times and improving the quality and safety of patient care;
• Renewed focus on preventing illness, particularly in those most at most risk of developing long term conditions;
• Patients given more say over where, when and how they are treated, not only for elective care (hospital operations) but for the 17 million people living with long term conditions;
• Steps taken to ensure that the evolving diverse and complex health system maintains quality local services and that all patients have access to a comprehensive range of services;
• Particular emphasis given to mental health services and maintaining good mental health.

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People

• Margaret Mythen has been Chief Executive of The New Health Network since May 2000. Her background combines health policy development, communication and campaigns with 12 years practical experience working in the NHS. Before taking up her current position she was Head of Policy for the Labour Party and had specific responsibility for health policy from 1994 to 1999. Margaret regularly speaks and writes on health related issues.
• Rosa Napolitano is Director of Organisational Development at the New Health Network with lead responsibility for marketing and income generation. Rosa was previously Head of Events & Marketing at NLGN, where she led on NLGN's marketing and sponsorship activity as well as a programme of national one day conferences, regional roadshows, fringes, publications and events.
• New Local Government Network (NLGN)

Trustees

• Tom Coffey, GP, Executive Chair, Wandsworth PCT
• Sue Page, Chief Executive, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust
• Claire Perry, Chief Executive, Lewisham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Linda Smith, Chair, South East London Health Authority
• Ray Powles, Clinical Oncologist

Activities

Our work is driven by health professionals to:

• network doers and thinkers, through a range of events on topical issues and practical solutions.
• inform ideas and challenge attitudes through surveys, publications and commentary

Network members have the opportunity to:

• take part in seminars, conferences and consultations
• write articles for our publications
• contribute to policy forums

Corporate Partners and Funders

"Corporate Partners work with the New Health Network to help share experience, ideas and best practice to drive forward policy and pursue the modernisation agenda within the NHS to ensure the NHS fulfils its potential for all patients."

The Network engages with and works with many organisations who "contribute intellectual as well as financial support."

'Corporate Partners' include:

• Amgen
• Boots the Chemists
• Catalyst Lend Lease Limited
• Chiron Vaccines
• Clinovia Limited
• HLSP
• KPMG LLP
• Lodestone Patientcare
• MerckSharpDohme
• Sanofi Aventis
• Tribal
• Veredus