Board Members
Sammie Brambles - Business Support Manager
With a background in Marketing and Communications working in the private healthcare sector for many years, I then moved on to work for 5 years with the Audit Commission as PA to the Regional Director and Head of Operations for Yorkshire & Humberside. For several months I was seconded to set up their regional communications departments for both the Yorkshire and Central regions. After then taking time off to bring up a family I returned to work for City of York Council as PA to the Director of Housing & Adult Social Services.
In my spare time as well as being a mother to 4 year old and 5 year old sons I can be found either at the gym, or doing my other job that being Clerk to the Parish Council in the village where I live, and I spend some of my weekends assisting a friend who is a wedding photographer as his assistant as apparently I have an aptitude for bossing people around!
Dr John Lethem - Chair
I was born and bred in York, studied medicine at Bristol and then returned 20 years ago to work as a GP. Our practice cares for University of York students as well as the local general population and I have a keen interest in student health as well as local community health matters. I have been a member of the Local Medical Committee for the last 8 years.
I have been active as a Board Member of York Health Group since its formation in 2005 and have been Chairman for 2 years. During this time I have seen us grow in strength, commitment and capacity. We still have much more to achieve.
Married with two children, I try to exercise by playing squash and tennis plus a bit of fair-weather running. I enjoy music, travel and the occasional spot of cooking.
Dr Mark Hayes - Clinical Vice-Chair
I am a GP in Tadcaster where I have worked for 23 years. I have been involved with the larger local health economy for the last 12 years. In this time I have been Chairman of the Selby Primary Care Trust, Medical Director for the North Yorkshire Family Health Service, member of the Local Medical Committee and I am currently Vice-Chairman of the York Health Group.
Married with three grown-up children, I have a long standing interest in photography www.markhayesphotography.co.uk and have used this interest to raise funds for a variety of charities over the years. I am currently trying to reduce my carbon footprint by using a bicycle for work and I am making another attempt to learn to play the guitar.
Dr Joan Meakins
I have been a GP partner in York for the past 20 years, part of Priory Medical Group, a very large practice. My specific interests include Gynaecology, Chest medicine and integration of services in Primary Care.
One of my key responsibilities is being the lead clinician for the YHG scheme to improve the health of patients with COPD, which has been taken up by all member practices.
As I am married to another GP in York who works in a smaller practice, I feel I am well placed to understand the breadth of challenges that face primary care.
Dr John Morrison
I have been a GP in York since 1986 and am a partner at York Medical Group.
I have been on the Board at York Health Group since its inception and have been involved in projects relating to Improving ENT services, and also as part of the Data Group, analysing referral data and coding.
I have recently taken on the role as Prescribing Lead Director for YHG, and this is now my main area of interest and activity.
Outside work - 3 children, 1 grandchild, 1 dog. Main interests include hill-walking , travel and poor skiing.
Dr Russell Saxby
I have been a GP at Strensall Medical Practice for just over seven years and a Board Member on York Health Group for the last three . During that time I have previously been involved in the Data Team and my current roles include Unscheduled Care, Diabetes and Ophthalmology. My other medical interests include Palliative Medicine and Sports medicine.
I am married with three children aged 6, 4 and 2 so spend most of my spare time running around after them but if I do get any spare time I enjoy running, cycling and swimming and am currently training to participate in the London Triathlon this summer.
Alison Brown
Data and Quality Director
I have worked for Dr Kemp & Partners since 1991, starting out on Reception and working my way up through the ranks via secretarial, admin, finance and fundholding work to the heady heights of Practice Manager. I took over as Practice Manager at the surgery in 2005.
I have always enjoyed data collection and interpretation work within the practice. I joined the York Health Group Board as Data & Quality Director in August 2009, having been involved with its data group prior to this. The work involves frequent communication with the Member Practices which is always enlightening and through which I continue to learn.
I love the work I do, particularly that each day offers a new challenge and no one day is alike.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, beading and archaeology. My challenge outside of work is surfing the internet to find holidays that combine all three. Luckily I have a husband who is happy to take a holiday anywhere provided he doesn't have the hassle of researching and booking it.
Fiona Howell
I have been the Practice Manager at Tollerton Surgery since 2004, a challenging and demanding role but nevertheless enjoyable. I joined the York Health Group Board at the beginning of 2008 and have found it very interesting and informative and the Boards' work valuable to patient care. I am involved in Patient and Public Involvement and am currently working to set up a York Health Group Patients' Forum. The Forum will help us with ideas for new health services and comment on existing ones. If you are interested in joining us or would like further information please contact us (details are at the top of the web page).
My free time is just as busy with family, friends and squash both my own game but more so my son's involvement in tournaments and training.
Gail Martin
Finance Director
I have been the Practice Manager at Stillington Surgery since 2005. Over this time I have completed an NVQ in Management and have just received an ILM Diploma in Practice Management. You would think that being a Practice Manager in a busy two partner, rural surgery would be more than enough to keep me entertained - but apparently not! Since July 2009 I have juggled my job as Practice Manager with the role of the Finance Director of York Health Group. And I love it!
As Finance Director I have the responsibility of running the finances for the company on a day to day basis. My previous business experience as an Accountant is invaluable for the role. This is a great opportunity to extend my personal networks, to grow professionally and to self develop. I have had a lot of learning to do over the last few months, and my commitment to Practice Based Commissioning is important.
Outside of work, I love to read, especially on well earned holidays!
Alistair Hopkinson
Chief Executive
After Board level appointments in both the NHS and commercial sectors I joined YHG in October 2008. My previous experiences in Commissioning, Contracting and providing health services have been invaluable in my role with York Health Group. It is invigorating to see how we are influencing the Commissioning Agenda in York; building strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders and improving local health services.
Away from work, I look forward to relaxing holidays with my partner, Carol, carp fishing with my eldest son, Sebastian and social golf with my youngest, Brendan.
Andrew Bucklee
Senior Commissioning Manager - York Locality, NHS North Yorkshire and York
I have been working in the NHS since 1992, prior to that I worked as a Mining Surveyor at several collieries covering the South Yorkshire area. Whilst working for the NHS I've had a few diverse roles from setting up support groups for Mental Health service users and Carers to writing Older People and Mental Health Service Strategies; from monitoring hospital contracts to developing networks for black and minority ethnic community groups. During this time I have also been able to complete a BSc in Health and Social Care with the Open University.
I've been working with York Health Group since 2007 and it has been a very enjoyable experience bringing about many learning opportunities and new working partnerships, although it has, and continues to be, very challenging at times. I'm very proud of what has been achieved to date and look forward to what can be done in the future.
Dr Cath Snape
I have been a GP in Yorkshire for over 20 years now; 11 years in Ripon before working as a GP Locum whilst studying for a Masters degree. In 2000 I joined Gillygate Surgery, a small but active Practice in the City Centre.
Clinically my interests are in mental health, chest diseases, research and teaching. I joined YHG in May 2010 as their Mental Health lead and have now been co-opted on to the Board.
I am married with 1 student son. We have a small smallholding and my main interests are linked to sustainable living - chickens, gardening and crafts.
I am also an active member of Gillygate Ghana health link - which supports health care developments in the Fanteakwa district of Ghana by way of educational visits by health care professionals and reciprocal visits to the UK.