The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is to head a new strategic Health Board for London that will bring together a range of experts to champion the health needs of people across the capital and promote London’s life sciences (research) sector.
The Mayor is working with London’s councils and health organisations to create a forum where key London issues and resources can be discussed, advocated and promoted.
This is part of a range of health initiatives the Mayor is supporting including funding grass root sports and physical activity, backing healthy school breakfasts, launching take away tool kits, tackling alcohol misuse, and providing cancer information in communities.
The Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I want to make our city as healthy as possible by encouraging exercise, healthy eating and ensuring that everyone can access good health information and services. The Board will be a forum to examine key issues and concerns, and promote health initiatives that will make a real difference.”
Members of the Board include council leaders and representatives from the health sector including GPs and doctors, and they are set to meet for the first time in May.
Members of the Board are as follows:
• Chair: Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
• Cllr Julian Bell, Leader, London Borough of Ealing
• Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader, London Borough of Wandsworth
• Cllr Sarah Hayward, Leader, London Borough of Camden
• Cllr Teresa O'Neill, Leader, London Borough of Bexley
• Cllr Derek Osbourne, Leader, Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames
• Michèle Dix, Managing Director, Planning, Transport for London
• Tim Kelsey, National Director for Patients and Information, NHS England
• Sir Cyril Chantler, Chairman, UCL Partners
• Prof Sir Robert Lechler, Executive Director, King's Health Partners
• Dr Jane Collins, Chair, London Clinical Senate
• Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director for London, Public Health England
• Dr Howard Freeman, Chair, London Clinical Commissioning Council
• Dr Anne Rainsberry, Regional Director for London, NHS England
• Dr Chris Streather, Managing Director, Academic Health Science Network for South London
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Notes to editors
1, The shadow London Health Improvement Board, which was solely responsible for public health, ceased to exist from 31 March 2013.
2, The board will not initially be funded to deliver projects or programmes. It will report progress annually and will receive secretariat support from a team funded by the key partners and hosted by London Councils.