EX-GP to bring ‘expert insights’ to hospital trust

A former local GP with 30 years’ experience of working with the local Bath community has been appointed as a new non-executive director to the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Ian Orpen, also formerly the clinical chair for Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, will play a key role in bringing an independent perspective to the boardroom and use his professional skills and insight to support the governance and strategic development of the trust.

Dr Orpen said: “As a local GP I have seen first-hand the critical role that an effective local hospital plays in direct patient care and its place at the centre of the local health and care system for expertise and specialist care delivery.

“Through my time as a Bath GP, and seven years as the clinical chair of BANES CCG, I have wealth of experience within the local care system and have developed a very good understanding of the workings of the RUH, both the challenges it faces as well as the opportunities available too, as we move through the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Trust chair Alison Ryan said: “We were looking for someone with an understanding of the challenges we face as we go forward, both in Bath and the wider health system, who had passion for healthcare and our community and who had expert insights. Dr Orpen admirably fitted the bill on all counts and we are delighted he will be joining us.”

The trust AGM will take place virtually on Tuesday, October 13, from 2pm to 4pm. To join, go to www.ruh.nhs.uk/agmlive