Kirit Patel Appointed as VCFSE Representative to Greater Manchester Joint Health Scrutiny Committee

The appointment follows an open recruitment process launched earlier this year, which sought a sector representative to provide a strong VCFSE voice within the committee's work scrutinising health services and healthcare developments across Greater Manchester.

Kirit brings more than 30 years of experience in the VCFSE sector, with a strong track record of tackling health inequalities and supporting ethnically diverse communities across Greater Manchester and nationally. In his current role at Can-Survive UK, he works closely with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, NHS partners and cancer organisations to improve culturally appropriate cancer support pathways and outcomes for primarily, but not exclusively, African and Caribbean people.

Alongside his role at Can-Survive UK, Kirit serves as a Partner Governor at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and is a member of the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance Neighbourhoods and Cancer Programme Board. His extensive experience includes leadership, governance and partnership roles within a range of local, regional and national VCFSE organisations.

Commenting on his appointment, Kirit said:

"I am deeply honoured to have been appointed as the VCFSE sector representative on the Greater Manchester Joint Health Scrutiny Committee. 

I very much look forward to ensuring the voice and experience of our sector contribute meaningfully in  shaping health priorities and improving outcomes for all of our communities across the city-region."

In addition to Kirit’s appointment, the Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership Group will be supporting the coordination of additional sector representatives on an ad hoc basis, based on meeting agenda items at the Health Scrutiny Committee. This is to ensure more specialised VCFSE expertise and knowledge can feed into various specific scrutiny topics as needed.

We would like to thank everyone who submitted expressions of interest, and we look forward to working with Kirit as he takes up this important role and helps strengthen the connection between Greater Manchester's health scrutiny arrangements and the VCFSE sector.