Our Board
Our Board works to ensure that we are fulfilling our legal and statutory obligations. You can find out more about our Board below.
Dr Kathryn Drury (Chair)
Throughout my life, I have utilised the services within our borough. In recent years, I was the primary caregiver for my dear husband, who passed away in February 2022. I pursued nursing training at Wigan Infirmary from 1982-1985.
After qualifying, I worked in various positions within the borough until 2005. These roles included serving as a school nurse, family planning nurse, and contributing to the healthy school’s strategy within the education department and schools. I also worked with social services as a nurse for looked after children in West Lancashire. These experiences gave me a connection to the local community and an understanding of the services available to support them.
In 2005, I transitioned to education and began teaching at Edge Hill University after completing a degree in Specialist Community Public Health Practice at the University of Central Lancashire. My career progressed in Health, Social Care, and Medical Education, and I earned my Doctorate in Education in 2017. Today, I am honored to serve as the Associate Dean for Health, Social Care, and Medicine at Edge Hill University.
My personal and professional values drive my involvement in service provision and the review of local services. I believe that service improvements can only be effective if they respond to the needs of those they serve. Engaging people in decisions that directly affect them is the best way to motivate them to utilise the available services.
Lynne Hamnett (Vice Chair)
I’ve worked for Embrace Wigan and Leigh for the past 18 years. I’m very passionate about Advocacy and supporting individuals and their families to understand their rights. I sit on a number of strategic groups in Wigan and Leigh, helping to reshape services and building on the DEAL principles.
I am delighted to be a Director of Healthwatch Wigan, where I can share my knowledge and experience with this amazing organisation that is making a huge difference to the citizens of Wigan and Leigh.
Dave Suddell - Director
I spent most of my working life as a design engineer in the Nuclear Industry. My leisure interest has always been the great outdoors and for many years I've been an active member of a mountaineering club holding various voluntary management roles. I have enjoyed many years walking, climbing and skiing extensively in the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
When I retired, I decided to seek voluntary work and discovered Healthwatch via a presentation at my GP practice's Patients Group. I was impressed by the work Healthwatch does as an independent body for NHS and Social Care Services and I am enthusiastic about unraveling the 'mysteries' of Health and Social Care and helping to highlight the problems faced by the patients.
Stuart Parsons - Director
Ernie Rothwell
Born and bred in Leigh. I am a chartered electrical engineer by profession specialising in secure power systems. I have travelled extensively mainly in Europe as I worked for 30 years with a large German manufacturer.
I’m a keen walker and chairman of a Leigh rambling club. I’m also a keen follower of sport of all kinds.
As a volunteer I’ve been involved in in patient engagement for the NHS in the Primary Care arena for 18 years or so. I chair the Leigh PCN Patient Engagement Group and am a patient representative both at the Leigh PCN Executive and at the Wigan Borough Level committees. My aim is to endeavor to promote patient engagement throughout the Borough particularly in deprived areas. As a new member of the Board, I see Healthwatch as a key part of understanding and reflecting the patient view.
Past Board papers
We make the papers for our public Board meetings available online. We also publish a summary of what was discussed. Check out our past meetings to read more.