The Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) (www.chpi.org.uk) is the only independent, non-party think tank promoting a vision of health and social care based on accountability and the public interest in the UK.
Founded in 2011, with a shoe-string budget and volunteer staff, we have since become a respected and authoritative think-tank and recently secured substantial funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT).
We are now entering an exciting new phase in our development and would like to add two members to our board of trustees.
About the CHPI
The CHPI was set up to promote policies for health and social care that are in the public interest and to ask questions that other organisations tend to neglect.
We are committed to the founding principles of the NHS, and are proudly independent of both government and the corporate sector. Despite having a fraction of the financial and organisational resource of larger organisations such as the Kings Fund and the Nuffield Trust, we have had a major impact on issues such as the Private Finance Initiative, patient safety in private hospitals, care home financing, conflicts of interest in the NHS, and pandemic preparedness. What is more, our work regularly features in the national media and in parliament.
Our Work
The CHPI’s overall aim is to promote the founding principles of the NHS by:
- Using research and evidenced-based analysis to hold government and corporate power to account in the field of health and social care
- Producing a well-argued critique of the use of markets and competition to deliver health and social care services and communicating this effectively
- Promoting the public interest in health and social care policymaking, with a focus on probity, transparency and accountability
Our main outputs are reports, analyses, blogs, social media content, and meetings with policy makers, journalists, and campaign groups, all of which are aimed at having an impact on the public policy debate.
Building on our considerable track record on accountability, conflicts of interest and private finance in the NHS and health and social care more broadly, in the next two years we intend to carry out an ambitious and important research programme focusing on:
- The growing use of the private hospital sector to deliver NHS hospital services
- The creation of the new National Institute for Health Protection (the new body which is being created to replace Public Health England)
- The financial impact of COVID-19 on the UK Care Home sector.
Please refer to our Annual Report online for more details of our growing legacy.
Being a Trustee for the CHPI
The CHPI is a close-knit and committed group of people; we view each other as allies and believe in running an organisation that reflects our values. Past and present trustees have found working on a shared cause with like-minded and capable colleagues engaging and rewarding.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for people who are dedicated to the founding principles of the NHS and have one or more of the following:
- Knowledge of health care, public health and/or social care policy or other related policy areas
- Experience of helping to build and develop small organisations in either an executive or non-executive capacity
- Experience in delivering, or delivering or overseeing the delivery of organisational functions such as fundraising, finance, communications, research, and network-building
- Financial expertise and or legal expertise relevant to the charity sector
Trustees serve initially for two years.
Roles of a CHPI Trustee
The role of the Board of Trustees in CHPI is to:
- Help to develop the organisation
- Provide support for the Director in the day-to-day delivery of the organisation’s objectives
- Work with the Director to develop annual research and fundraising strategies
- Ensure that the organisation meets its statutory duties including in relation to financial reporting, budgeting, risk management and HR.
The work of trustees is voluntary, supporting the work of the Director and the team through a monthly board meeting, plus a varying but significant time commitment.
For example, besides 2.5hrs/month preparing for and attending the monthly meeting, a trustee might typically spend 2hrs/month supporting the Director in a specific area of strategy, such as finance or communications or research, according to their expertise; 2hrs/month engaged in general outreach and networking for the CHPI; and 1-2 days/year taking part in strategy “away-days”.
We are keen to encourage inquiries from people with experience of working on issues of health inequality particularly affecting those from people with Black or Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and the health impacts of disability.
How do I apply?
To apply, please send a CV and covering letter to info@chpi.org.uk setting out why you are interested in the role and how you consider your skills and experience would help to support and develop the CHPI.
For more details, please get in touch with any of the following current trustees: Dr Jonathon Tomlinson (Chair), Sue Charteris (Vice-Chair), Lois Rogers, Professor Colin Leys, or Dr Guddi Singh, by writing to info@chpi.org.uk.
We will review your application by 12th December 2022 and set up discussions with potential candidates early in the New Year.
Support Our Work
CHPI is the only truly independent health think-tank dedicated to the founding principles of the NHS. To continue our work keeping the public interest at the centre of health and social care policy, we need your help.
Please support CHPI so we can continue to impact the health policy debate.
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