Pat Mclaren confirmed as new Interim Chair of Healthwatch Warrington

Pat will take up the role to lead Healthwatch Warrington to ensure decision makers and the NHS hear the public voice and use their experiences to improve care for residents of Halton Borough.   

Pat McLaren in an experienced healthcare communications professional working in the NHS hospitals sector for nearly 20 years.  She has held board positions in her last three organisations and is responsible to the Board for communications, engagement, involvement and fundraising. 

Pat began her NHS career as a biomedical scientist working in Manchester before moving abroad to the Middle East where she retrained in communications.  Over the following 18 years Pat worked for some of the world’s biggest healthcare and consumer brands as well as with a number of governments and high-profile Middle Eastern companies.  She returned to the UK in 2002 with her family and resumed her NHS career in which she continues to work, serving the past seven years with Warrington and Halton Hospital.  She lives in Warrington 

Speaking of her appointment, Pat Mclaren said:  

"I feel very privileged to take on the role of Interim Chair of Healthwatch Warrington at this critical time for our health and care services, focusing on the big issues that concern the public and the communities that experience severe health inequalities." 

Elizabeth Learoyd, Managing Director at ECS said:  

“We are delighted to welcome Pat Mclaren as Chair to the Healthwatch Warrington Board. Engaging Communities has delivered Healthwatch Warrington for over 5 years. Having been led by Gary Skentelbery , our outgoing Chair who has made an outstanding contribution, we are keen to ensure we continue the great work, engagement and maximise the impact we have locally. I want to thank Gary Skentelbery for his time, commitment and dedication as outgoing Chair and to welcome Pat who officially joined the board on 1 January 2024.   

I look forward to working closely with her and the wider Board to drive improvements across health and social care.” 

Lydia Hughes CEO for Healthwatch Warrington added ‘ Gary has been an excellent Chair for Healthwatch Warrington, and has increased our reach and profile with his communications expertise.  We wish Gary well for the future and look forward to Pat Mclaren starting in the new year 2024’