The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) has announced that Lord Patel is to step down as chair at the organisation’s annual general meeting in March. 

Lord Patel took over in November 2020, becoming the first non-executive chair of the membership organisation, which represents 98 independent healthcare providers across the UK.

Lord Patel said: “I’m hugely honoured to have been the first independent chair of IHPN. This has been and continues to be a pivotal time for the healthcare sector, both through the pandemic, and even more now, in many ways.

“I believe that the independent sector has a vital role to play both in supporting the NHS to recover from the pressures of the pandemic and in making sure that those patients that do choose to fund their own treatment are able to do so. Many of IHPN’s members are vital parts in the system and I’ve been proud to represent them.

“I have been impressed by the commitment I have seen from members to continually improve the quality and safety of care. I’ve also seen first-hand the innovation and cutting edge technologies and techniques which the independent sector deploys to deliver first class care.

“It has been a privilege to work with a small but extremely talented and experienced team at IHPN led by David Hare and my fellow directors.” 

IHPN’s chief executive Hare said: “On behalf of IHPN and our members, we are sorry that Lord Patel will be standing down, but we are deeply grateful for the contribution he has made for our members, working to improve healthcare services across the country.

“He is deeply knowledgeable, experienced and hugely well-regarded. He has commanded respect for his insight and leadership, and challenged us all to improve, but done so positively and with great personal integrity.

“I know that members and the board have felt reassured having him at the helm, as they’ve gone about tackling some of the huge problems facing the healthcare sector, supporting the NHS during the pandemic and ensuring private patients can access the care they need.

“The sector is in a better place for having had Kamlesh chair the IHPN and we say thank you to him.”

The IHPN board stated it has made good progress with finding a successor for Lord Patel, having commenced an open appointment process, with a view to being able to announce the incoming chair at the AGM.