Spotlight on our Board: Alison Slater

"I’m delighted to have this opportunity in the ‘Spotlight’ to tell you a little about myself.

"I joined NEAS as a non-executive director in December 2021 following a 35-year career in the NHS within the North East. During that time, I worked in every tier of the health service and was latterly, the NHS England Director for the North East and North Cumbria. The role included regulatory oversight of NHS providers, improvement support and development, emergency planning together with the early development of the local Integrated Care System.     

"I chair the People and Development Committee which has a broad remit to seek assurance, on behalf of the Board, on all aspects relating to the Trust’s people and culture, including recruitment, education and training, health and wellbeing, flexible working, in order to provide safe, effective and responsive care. 

"An important and enjoyable part of the role is the opportunity to get out and about meeting colleagues from across all parts of the service, to listen and learn from their views and lived experiences, and to use their feedback to inform and drive improvement in the organisation. In the last six months I’ve joined colleagues in unscheduled care, PTS, EOC and critical care and witnessed first hand the expertise, professionalism, care and compassion shown to patients and their families. I’ve also heard directly from patients as to how important and valued the services are to them.

"Alongside my role in NEAS, I have been a governor at St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School in Gosforth for over 22 years, and the chair for eight years. I enjoy travelling and have recently returned from a trip to Peru; the highlight being Machu Picchu which was fantastic.  

"I’ll be at the next Council of Governors meeting in January and look forward to catching up."