Published: 07/02/2002, Volume II2, No 5791. Page 18 19
Name: Melinda Letts Job: Chair, Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance Style: Raised voice at the table - the LMCA is one of the patients'organisations closest to government, and Ms Letts is on the modernisation board.'There is room for both influencing and campaigning, ' she says.May be 'seen by some as a bit of a New Labour luvvie', but others say she's 'robustly independent'and successful at getting patients'views on the agenda.As a consultant, she has worked for Medeva Pharma as well as Cancerlink and Diabetes UK.Said to enjoy 'friendly gossip', she admits: 'I am definitely not domesticated.'Does The Times crossword to relax.
Background: High-flying classics student who did her A-levels at 16 and then took even cleverer S-levels at Cheltenham Boys College - 'there were three girls, I think.'Her career includes work for a theatre company, two years at the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and four years at VSO in London, covering programmes in north Africa and south Asia, her interest sparked by time in Egypt and Sudan learning Arabic.Became deputy director of the National Asthma Campaign in 1991, rising to chief exec the following year.Left in 1998 to become a self-employed consultant.An LMCA trustee in 1996, when it first became a charity.A CHI commissioner, too.
Future prospects: Could be at a hospital near you soon: wants to join a trust board.Expect to hear more about the need for politicians and professionals to involve patients seriously in the great treatment and resources debate.'Instead of being promised jam tomorrow, I want to be engaged in discussion about how much jam I can have.'
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