Healthwatch England names Katherine Rake as director

Dr Katherine Rake has joined recently-launched patient body Healthwatch England as its director.

She has a strong pedigree in health and social policy in the UK, where her most recent roles were as chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute and advisor to the Prime Minister.

This experience will be valuable as she leads the organisation, created as part of wholesale NHS reforms, that aims to give patients and the general public a voice in the way health and social care services are run in the country.

"I am delighted to have been appointed as the first director of Healthwatch England at a critical time of transition for health and social care in the UK,” said Dr Rake.

“I look forward to ensuring that the views of health and social care consumers are heard at the highest levels and the insight gained is used to transform delivery of these services for the better."

Prior to her most recent role, Dr Rake served as chief executive of sexual equality campaign group the Fawcett Society. She has also spent time as a lecturer in social policy at the London School of Economics.

Her appointment was announced the same day as Healthwatch England's first public meeting, during which the committee discussed where the body should focus its energy and resources.

Part of its responsibility involves overseeing local Healthwatch groups, of which more than 150 are planned to be formed during 2013. These local groups will be commissioned by, and fully accountable to, their local authority and will replace the Local Involvement Network (LINks).