The Independent Sector forum first met in April 2004. It is a very popular forum, attracting a wide range of national representatives and speakers. The forum has played an important role in contributing to the drive and development of Confederation's work for independent providers.

The forum now meets six times a year in London, with the meetings alternatively chaired by the co-chairs - Mark Lomax, MediHome Ltd, and David Monkman from the Royal Hospital of Neuro Disability.

Following requests from members to work on sector-specific areas, the Confederation launched a number of sub-groups for Independent Sector members to attend before meeting at the main forum. Each sub-group has its own chair, sets its agenda and invites speakers to meetings:

• Mental health: chaired by Chris Thompson, Priory Healthcare
• Voluntary: chaired by Liz Felton, Together
• Elective and diagnostic: chaired by Mark Smith, Euromedic UK
• Primary and community/Long Term Conditions: chaired by Ruth Poole, Healthcare at Home

Dates for future meetings 2008

• Wednesday 12 November 2008*
  
  

New dates for 2009 forums

Dates for the 2009 quarterly independent sector forums have now been confirmed. You can book your place onto these forums now by clicking on the dates of your choice and completing the booking form.

• Wednesday 21 January 2009
• Wednesday 29 April 2009
• Wednesday 8 July 2009
• Wednesday 14 October 2009

Remit

The forums and sub-groups are intended to provide:

• a channel for feedback, via the Confederation, to the Department of Health and other policymakers at the centre
• a mechanism to input into the Confederation on influencing policy and its implementation
• the opportunity to exchange information and experiences
• a space to identify learning and development needs.

Previous meetings

Previous speakers at the forum include:

• Nigel Edwards, Director of Policy, NHS Confederation
• Anthony Deery, Mental Health Strategy Lead, Healthcare Commission.
• Sian Thomas, Deputy Director, NHS Employers
• Kevin Barton, Chief Executive, Lambeth PCT
• Andrew Cash, Director General of Provider Development, Department of Health
• Giles Wilmore, Department of Health
• Chan Wheeler, Commercial Director General, Department of Health
• Professor Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health
• Mr Robert Alexander, Director NHS Finance, Department of Health
• Gary Belfield, Director of Commissioning, Department of Health

For minutes from previous forums please contact Martin Panther.

Dates for future meetings 2008

• Wednesday 12 November 2008*
  
  

* Following the agreement to reduce the numbers of independent sector forums from 6 to 4, please note this new date for the last quarter of 2008.

For any queries regarding these forums please contact Martin Panther, Senior Membership Officer on 020 7074 3244 or martin.panther@nhsconfed.org