Summary
New chair and vice chair roles ratified by GMPCB.
A new chair has been agreed for Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board (GMPCB).
Experienced dentist, Don McGrath, was welcomed into the role at a recent board meeting and takes over from Luvjit Kandula after her three years in office.
Don has more than 35 years’ experience as a general dental practitioner in Manchester and is also the chair of Greater Manchester Dental Provider Board (DPB).
In addition, the role of vice chair was agreed to be shared between the existing vice chair, Dr Tim Dalton and retiring chair, Luvjit Kandula. All roles will serve for three years.
This marks a significant point in GMPCB history, as representatives from all four disciplines of primary care hold senior leadership positions on the board. This also includes Dharmesh Patel, optometrist, who is chair of the GMPCB finance committee.
New chair Don McGrath said: “I feel honoured and delighted to have been elected as the new chair of Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board.
“This is both a great privilege and a significant responsibility. I am committed to working collaboratively with colleagues across all of primary care, the wider NHS, local government, community organisations and, most importantly, with the people and communities we serve.
“Together, we must continue to champion the vital role of primary care and drive the changes needed to ensure that the citizens of Greater Manchester have access to high-quality, compassionate, equitable and sustainable healthcare.”
Outgoing chair and newly appointed vice chair, Luvjit Kandula said: “As I step down as chair, I want to thank the PCB team, our primary care discipline chairs and all members for their commitment and collaboration. I’m also grateful to our ICB colleagues, VCFSE partners, GMCA and Live Well leads for their support and engagement.
“Together, we’ve navigated the formation of ICBs, major NHS reform and strengthened the primary care voice and influence across the GM system, place and Live Well neighbourhoods, forming a national exemplar for the country together.
“Through our collective efforts, we’ve delivered health and wellbeing programmes, primary care excellence, and innovative left‑shift models that have improved access, outcomes and patient care across all four disciplines.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and look forward to continuing to innovate and strengthen our work, as vice chair of the GMPCB board.”
Vice chair Tim Dalton added: “I am pleased to be confirmed as joint deputy chair for Greater Manchester Primary Care Board by my colleagues.
“This is a strong signal of how committed colleagues are from pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and from general practice to be working together, so we can collectively support our local residents and patients to live healthier and happier lives.”
As a reminder, the chair of Greater Manchester Optometry Provider Board (OPB) is Julia Maiden, and the vice chair is Mohammed Bhuta.
The chair of Greater Manchester General Practice Provider Board (GPPB) is Dr Tim Dalton, and the vice chair is Dr Viren Mehta.
Greater Manchester Community Pharmacy Provider Board’s chair is Luvjit Kandula, with Louise Gatley in the role of vice chair.
