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UHUK appoints new Chair
Author: Sharon Clifton
Nigel Gazzard has been appointed as the new Chair of Urgent Health UK (UHUK), bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience along with a passion for urgent care and social enterprise.
Nigel, the recent Managing Director of BrisDoc Healthcare Services Ltd, and a former non-executive director of UHUK, has an extensive and well-established career in health care, supported by leadership experience in both the social enterprise sector and the private/public sectors. His career achievements include establishing a GP-led healthcare business operating within the NHS to serve over one million people; leading its conversion to an employee-owned social enterprise; delivering an award-winning NHS mental healthcare service; launching a social impact fund to address health inequalities; and co-authoring a book on leadership.
Comment on his appointment, Nigel Gazzard said: “I am delighted and excited to have been appointed as Chair of UHUK. My passion for social enterprise and urgent care is well known and I look forward to working with UHUK and its members, supporting their work, and encouraging and inspiring them to achieve successful outcomes.”
UHUK is a partnership of urgent healthcare social enterprise providers who cover two thirds of the UK population. UHUK champions its members’ interests with one voice in the media, and with stakeholders in the government, NHS, and healthcare community. It supports innovation and enterprise among its members enabling them to collectively push boundaries, address challenges and grow.
Nigel continues: “UHUK has a clear vision to give its members a louder voice. With my background and ability to connect and develop relationships, I relish the opportunity of championing the role of NHS social enterprises providing urgent and integrated healthcare and becoming an advocate for them on a national stage.”
UHUK Chief Executive Conor Burke said: “Nigel’s energy, enthusiasm and passion for urgent care and social enterprise shone through at interview and we are delighted to welcome him as the new Chair of UHUK. He is a champion of innovation and transformation and has a track record of developing relationships with, and influencing, stakeholders at all levels. As a former member CEO and NED of UHUK, he is known to our members as someone who provides support and inspires collaboration. Nigel will embrace our goals and serve as a great ambassador for UHUK nationally.”
Nigel’s appointment will begin in November, taking over from current Chair and Medical Director Dr Simon Abrams, GP Lead at Great Homer Street Surgery, Liverpool.
Government must address NHS deficit in autumn budget and include support for NHS social enterprises
Author: Conor Burke
I read with great concern the recent NHS Confederation release: More staffing and patient care cuts likely unless government addresses growing NHS deficit, which underlines the pressing need for government action in the upcoming autumn budget to mitigate the inevitable pressures the NHS will face this winter.
The situation faced by NHS leaders across the country is dire, with record demand coupled with increased costs due to recently announced pay awards. According to the NHS Confederation survey 31 out of 42 integrated health systems have a deficit plan for the year. Without immediate and significant funding, NHS leaders will be faced with impossible choices - choices that could have devastating consequences for patient care and the sustainability of the NHS.
UHUK represents a partnership of social enterprise urgent and integrated healthcare providers, who between them deliver urgent care services to over two thirds of the UK population. Every year, our members treat millions of patients who might otherwise call an ambulance, go to A&E, or visit their GP – reducing the pressure on those crucial services.
Our services - ranging from NHS111 and Out of Hours care to Clinical Assessment Hubs and Urgent Treatment Centres - are designed to streamline care through innovative use of technology, such as telephony, video, and online consultations. By triaging and redirecting patients to appropriate services, we not only ensure that NHS resources are used where they are most needed but also help to prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed, particularly during peak periods such as bank holidays and through the winter.
Our model is unique: as social enterprises, we reinvest any surpluses directly back into the services we provide. This stands in stark contrast to private enterprises, where profits may be distributed to shareholders rather than being used to enhance patient care. This reinvestment ensures that every pound is maximised for the benefit of patients and the NHS as a whole, making social enterprises a critical yet often overlooked component of the healthcare system.
We understand the difficult economic circumstances with which the government is faced, however, the current financial outlook is threatening our ability to continue providing this essential support. Unlike the integrated care systems we partner with, our social enterprise members cannot operate at a deficit.
The lack of understanding and investment into our sector, combined with the possible exclusion of our employees from recent NHS pay awards - even those transferred from the NHS under Agenda for Change terms - has left our employees feeling undervalued and financially disadvantaged. This disparity not only risks lowering staff morale but could also hinder our ability to recruit and retain the skilled professionals upon whom the NHS relies.
We echo NHS Confederation CEO Matt Taylor’s call for the government to provide the NHS with the long-term financial security it desperately needs to plan effectively. However, it is equally important that this planning includes recognition of the unique role that social enterprises play. By reinvesting surpluses into service improvements and innovations, we offer a sustainable model that aligns closely with the NHS’s goals of improving patient care and operational efficiency.
The looming winter crisis will be a test for the new government. A short-term cash injection is essential to address the immediate challenges, but without a broader financial strategy that includes support for social enterprises, the NHS risks undermining one of its key partners in delivering high-quality, sustainable care.
UHUK members are fully committed to playing their part in alleviating the pressures on the NHS this winter and beyond. With appropriate funding, we can continue to reduce the strain on emergency services, facilitate earlier patient discharge, and ensure that care is provided in the most suitable settings. We urge the government to recognise the value of social enterprises in this equation and to include our sector in their funding considerations, ensuring that we can continue to reinvest in and enhance the services upon which millions of people rely.
Annual Conference and Awards Dinner celebrates excellence in urgent care
Author: Sharon Clifton
Urgent Health UK (UHUK) is proud to announce its annual conference and awards dinner, taking place on 5 & 6 November at the Devere Cotswold Water Park, Cirencester. The event brings together thought leaders, healthcare providers, and key stakeholders from across the UK to discuss the future of urgent care and celebrate the outstanding contributions of professionals in the social enterprise urgent and integrated healthcare sector.
This year’s conference poses the question ‘Sustaining the NHS - is virtual care the solution?’. Keynote speakers, panel discussions, case study and sponsor presentations will explore how innovation and collaboration through social enterprise can remove barriers to the delivery of remote and virtual urgent and integrated health care. Topics include quality and safety in a digital environment, leadership and workforce development, access and health inequalities, harnessing technology to improve productivity and reduce pressure on acute hospital trusts, A&E and 999 services and GP appointments.
Hosted by UHUK, a partnership of urgent healthcare social enterprise providers who between them cover two thirds of the UK population, the event offers a valuable opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange among urgent care providers and industry experts.
The evening awards dinner will recognise outstanding achievements across the social enterprise urgent and integrated healthcare sector, with 9 award categories including:
• Technological innovation
• Patient engagement
• Social impact
• Workforce developmentNow in their 3rd year, the awards this year are backed by the Awards Trust Mark, a not-for-profit accreditation run by the Independent Awards Standards Council
Chief Executive Conor Burke, of UHUK, said: “This event is a chance to both reflect on the progress and challenges within the urgent care landscape and to honour those whose dedication is making a real difference in communities across the UK.
“We’re excited to bring together such a diverse group of professionals who are passionate about delivering quality, accessible healthcare on behalf of the NHS, serving millions of patients who may otherwise call an ambulance or go to A & E, ensuring those crucial NHS services are free for those that need them most.”
Event Details:
The conference and awards dinner are open to all professionals in the healthcare sector, with a special emphasis on those involved in urgent and out-of-hours care and social enterprise healthcare providers. To register or for more information, please visit UHUK | Events
