• Sir Chris Ham and Dr Clare Gerada have been appointed co-chairs for the NHS Assembly.
• The appointments were announced at a joint board meeting of NHS England and NHS Improvement.
• The board papers state that the NHS Assembly will bring together a range of individuals from across the health and care sectors at regular intervals to advise on the delivery of the NHS long term plan.
• The co-chairs will share equal leadership responsibility building and safeguarding the cohesion, reputation and effectiveness of the NHS Assembly.
  
  

Responding to the appointment of the co-chairs for the NHS Assembly, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said:

“We welcome the appointment of Sir Chris Ham and Dr Clare Gerada as co-chairs for the NHS Assembly.

We are confident that they will work together to ensure the Assembly is a clear and authoritative voice on behalf of the public and health and care services supporting the delivery of the NHS long term plan.

“Both have a wealth of experience and bring real credibility to bring to these important roles. We are confident that they will work together to ensure the Assembly is a clear and authoritative voice on behalf of the public and health and care services supporting the delivery of the NHS long term plan.

The Assembly will play an important part in building consensus and re-establishing engagement with the frontline.

“The Assembly will play an important part in building consensus and re-establishing engagement with the frontline.

“We look forward to working with the national bodies to help ensure the success of the new assembly, and to play our part in ensuring the voice of the frontline continues to be heard as we seek to meet our ambitions for the NHS over the next decade.”