NHS Northamptonshire Chief Executive John Parkes Accepts Visiting Professorship

LONDON, September 13, 2011 -

NHS Northamptonshire’s Chief Executive, John Parkes, will be giving lectures and advising on NHS related research projects, after being offered a Visiting Professorship at The University of Northampton.

Professor Parkes commented: “I am delighted to have been offered the role and I look forward to working more closely with the staff and students there.

“NHS Northamptonshire already has excellent links with the University through the School of Health and the Centre for Health and Wellbeing Research and this latest step will further enhance our close working relationship.”

Professor John Parkes is Chief Executive and Accountable Officer for the Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire PCT Cluster. Prior to his current role as a commissioner, John spent the majority of his career running provider organisations including 15 years within university hospitals.   John is a member of the national Independent Reconfiguration Panel which provides advice to the Secretary of State on disputed or controversial service reconfigurations.

This new position came about following recommendations from the Dean of the School of Health, Dr Sue Allen.  John Parkes is taking up the role of Visiting Professor in Healthcare Management at The University of Northampton. The Professorship will last for a minimum of two years.

Professor John Parkes will also input directly into the activities of the Centre for Health and Wellbeing Research, keep academic staff informed on healthcare management practices and advise the School of Health executive on current issues in the NHS.

On joining NHS Northamptonshire in October 2006 John worked together with colleagues and partners to successfully turn around the PCT’s inherited deficit. John’s work over the last four years has been key in NHS Northamptonshire being ranked as one of the most effective PCTs in the East Midlands as well as becoming a top performing national PCT.

In his previous role as Chief Executive of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals, John’s was instrumental to moving the Trust from the worst in the country to an organisation that was fit for purpose with safe and sustainable services that could deliver national and local expectations.

Dr Sue Allen, Dean, School of Health, The University of Northampton, commented

“The appointment of John Parkes as a Visiting Professor cements and recognises the importance of individuals who are able to provide leadership based on strong research based evidence for the future of excellent healthcare and education in Northamptonshire. We look forward to working closely with John in his new role.”

Notes to Editors:

The University of Northampton is dedicated to high quality higher education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, through taught courses and research. As Northamptonshire’s only dedicated higher education institution, it is committed to the transfer of knowledge and technology to the community and aims to contribute to the cultural development of the region.

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