London health commissioner will make “excellent contribution”

The new health and social care commissioner appointed for London will make an “excellent contribution” to services offered in the capital, it has been suggested.

Ann Lloyd’s new role at the Appointments Commission was announced today (January 8th) and her duties will include ensuring that the recruitment process for chairs and non-executive directors in the NHS will be effective and transparent.

Parliamentary under-secretary of state for health services Ann Keen said Ms Lloyd is certain to make an important input to the commission.

Her role is set to begin next month and will end in January 2013. Ms Lloyd was previously the chief executive of NHS Wales and the health and social services department head from 2001 to 2008.

“I am very pleased … I am looking forward to working with all public bodies to ensure that boards and their chairs have good support to help them in their difficult roles,” Ms Lloyd remarked.

Related health news this week saw guidance suggest that mobile phone use in hospitals should be allowed.

It advised NHS trusts to consider letting patients, visitors and staff use handsets as long as no medical equipment is interfered with.