NHS Direct’s clinical and multi-channel expertise has been strengthened by the appointment of two new Non-Executive Directors: Luisa Dillner of BMJ, and Tim Heymann of Kingston Hospital.
They bring with them considerable medical experience, as well as valuable expertise in the use of online channels for health services.
Luisa Dillner is Head of New Product Development at the BMJ Group where she has launched some of their most successful online products for doctors and consumers. Most recently she launched doc2doc, an online international global community for doctors and healthcare professionals.
She trained in medicine at Bristol University and qualified as a surgeon before leaving the NHS to take up the post with the BMJ. Luisa also spent two years as Health Editor at the Guardian and has written three books and numerous health articles for consumer publications.
Tim Heymann is a consultant physician at Kingston Hospital, specialising in gastroenterology and liver disease. There he developed Kingston Case Notes, an award-winning pilot electronic patient record, and has provided the clinical lead for major projects that have helped redefine the way in which services are delivered.
Having moved on from consultancy work for McKinsey and Booz Allen, Tim now works at Imperial College Business School and is responsible for much of the development and delivery of health management courses for undergraduate medics, post graduates and senior health service managers in the UK and abroad.
Derek Newman, a Non-Executive Director of NHS Direct for over 5 years, retired from the board in December 2009. Derek brought with him more than 20 years experience as a Chief Information Officer (CIO) in the private sector, holding CIO positions at companies such as Northern Foods and Zeneca.
Joanne Shaw, NHS Direct Chair said, “Derek’s expertise in delivering large scale change in complex commercial environments has been an asset to the board. His excellent judgement and constructive advice will be missed by us all.”
*Luisa Dillner’s appointment has been approved by the Appointments Commission. Tim Heymann’s, as a practicing NHS Doctor, has been made in principle.
