Bradford Teaching Hospitals appoints new chair

He replaces David Richardson, who has been in the position for nine years. Mr Richardson is stepping down on 30 June after completing three terms in office, the maximum period allowed under the trust’s constitution.

Lord Patel has been an independent peer since 2006, serving as minister in the governments whips office in the Lords. He also chaired the national prison drug treatment strategy review group, which led publication of the Patel Report and reforms in the delivery of prison drug treatment. 

He currently serves as senior advisor to the vice chancellor of the University of East London, vice president and professorial fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health and Institute of Healthcare Management and professorial fellow of the Institute of Mental health.

Lord Patel said he was “very excited and honoured to be taking up the position of chair at the trust”.

“Bradford is my home and I am committed to ensuring that [the trust] continues to improve and provides an excellent service for all the people of Bradford.”

Outgoing chair Mr Richardson said his “time at the trust has been very rewarding”.

“I have had the privilege of working with an outstanding group of people who work tremendously hard to ensure the people of Bradford receive high quality care and great clinical services.”