I was born in the Black Country, became a Wolves supporter at the age of 5, and am a season ticket holder.
NHS Experience
After gaining an external London B.Sc Econ at Bournemouth College, I joined the NHS training scheme in 1969. I did my hospital, primary care, and other training in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Kidderminster and the academic element at UMIST (Manchester). My self-selected external attachments were with the National Union of Sheet Metal Workers and IBM (UK). I completed my Institute of Health Service Management qualifications in 1975 and was made a Fellow of the Institute in 1992.
Posts held include: Assistant Hospital Secretary at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Hospital Secretary at Kidderminster General Hospital, Assistant District Administrator, North Devon Health District, Planning Officer and then Chief Executive of West Glamorgan Health Authority, and finally Chief Executive of Morriston NHS Trust (Swansea) in 1996.
Wider Experience (Health and Social Care)
I joined the University of Glamorgan as a senior fellow of WIHSC (Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care) in 1997 where I remain a visiting professor after retiring in 2007. I was a founder member of the Welsh Health Planning Forum and served for its duration.
I was appointed as a special advisor to Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart in 2007/8 to assist her in removing the NHS internal market in Wales.
I have lectured in Saudi Arabia and worked in Georgia as part of a programme designed to improve Georgian primary care. I have undertaken health study tours in Russia and New Zealand and visited the USA to assess hospital computer systems in San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia and Nashville.
Labour Party experience
My first general election was 1959, leafleting for Jim Simmons (Brierley Hill Constituency). I joined the Party in 1963 becoming Chair of Kingswinford Young Socialists. I served as branch secretary of Llanmorlais Branch for 15 years, have been Chair of Gower CLP on several occasions, Chair of the Swansea County Labour Party (and panel secretary). I was agent for Martin Caton MP in the 2010 general election. I have been an election agent for local government candidates.
Other experience
I was, for a number of years, Chair, trustee and company director of a charitable company – Swansea Disability and Information Advice Line (DIAL).
Other interests
- Chair of Gower Folk Festival Committee for 20 years
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Secretary of the Rotary Club of Swansea
3 I sing with “Baggyrinkle”, Swansea’s own shantymen.
- I am a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio and television and HTV.
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I undertake occasional research / consultancy work both as part of my professorial duties – or independently for selected clients notably Trade Unions and charities.
I do not own any property or have any interests which might clash with the objectives of the SHA.
Reason for Standing
I wish to improve the governance of the SHA and increase member participation in the making of health and wider policies from a socialist analysis.