Barbara McIntosh

Barbara McIntosh, Vice Chair, Healthwatch Sutton

“I’ve been with Healthwatch Sutton since 2014. I have worked in the NHS, and also in partnership with the NHS since 1975 having worked in Social Care the Voluntary Sector and in SEND.

“Through Healthwatch I am part of the Commissioning Advisory Group which meets monthly with people who have mental health problems. We also meet quarterly with the CEO of the local Mental Health Trust to lobby for improvements. I sit as a Trustee on two London Learning Disability Charities and I am Chair of Governors at a special needs school for children with mental health problems. I am on the local Safeguarding Board for adults and sit as Board member for an Academy Trust for children with Special Needs in South West London.

“Faced with restricted resources and the expectations held by local people I find it challenging to work toward improvements. The skills and commitment of local NHS staff are impressive and rewarding to work with.

“When it comes to my proudest moment, mine is of working at the Kings Fund with inspiring colleagues including people with learning disabilities to develop a national and local programme of services covering learning disability and mental health.”