Our board

Meet our trustees

Pat Southgate, Chairperson

I'm Pat. I am a retired nurse with 44 years of experience across many nursing roles, especially as a community public health nurse for the past 30 years. My passion has always been helping families and communities to live healthier lives. I've held strategic and board-level positions within major NHS organisations, spanning acute care, mental health, primary care, and community health. I also served for the Nursing and Midwifery Council on their Fitness to Practice Panels and later as a Council Board member for England.

Currently, I'm on the board of York Housing Association, and I volunteer at York and Scarborough NHS Hospital Trust and Martin House Hospice. I've also served as a governor for Sheriff Hutton School. Through my years in healthcare, I've seen that while health inequalities may show up in people’s health outcomes, they're deeply rooted in social, economic, and environmental factors. My goal is to continue advocating for improved health equality and conditions that support everyone’s well-being.

Alan Cram

I’m Alan. I’ve worked in financial services for over 20 years. I joined Healthwatch North Yorkshire in February 2024 as treasurer. I help manage the charity’s finances. At my current job, I lead projects in financial education and charity work and guide social responsibility efforts. I also build work experience partnerships with local schools. Over the years, I've supported various charities and seen social challenges grow. I know the health and social care sector will only become more vital. Having experienced both the highs and lows of the NHS myself, I want to help people have a stronger voice, be heard, and improve healthcare experiences. 

Laura Parker

I’m Laura. I've worked across several sectors, always driven by a commitment to social care and inclusion. I started my career as a support worker and then studied criminology while working in the Criminal Justice Service, helping young people find alternatives to custody. Later, I worked with veterans and eventually focused on supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism, joining the Wilf Ward Family Trust, which provides support and opportunity for adults with profound disabilities.

I’m currently the Chief Operating Officer at Rape Crisis England & Wales, where I remain dedicated to ensuring that people’s voices are heard and valued in shaping services. I’m passionate about making sure individuals feel empowered in their communities and that their feedback truly drives change in health and social care.

Kacie Hodgson

I’m Kacie. I am a college student with a passion for making sure that everyone, especially those who might be overlooked, has a voice. I’ve seen how people with special educational needs are often marginalised, and it drives me to be an advocate for their right to proper healthcare. I believe we all have a responsibility to support each other and work toward a more inclusive, fair society. My goal is to be a positive force for change and to stand up for those who need it most.

John Cunningham

I'm John. I have over 25 years of experience in geopolitics and clean tech project development. I’ve been fortunate to work internationally, from the US to Africa, helping to raise funds and develop innovative technology projects. My focus has been on advising financial and private equity groups on overseas risk and investment in emerging markets. I bring this experience to Healthwatch, aiming to make a positive impact on how we approach complex challenges in health and social care.

Alison Wood

I’m Alison. I joined as a trustee in January 2024. My background is in financial services, where I worked on project management and analytical functions across large institutions. Recently, I completed a Master’s degree in psychology, with a focus on evidence-based healthcare and the importance of incorporating patient feedback into decision-making. I’m committed to ensuring that decisions in health care reflect the needs and voices of the community and are rooted in reliable data and evidence.

Alan Cunningham

I’m Alan. I am a retired GP with 32 years of experience in primary healthcare in Harrogate. I joined Healthwatch North Yorkshire in June 2024, and I’m still deeply committed to putting patients at the heart of healthcare decisions. Throughout my career, I held roles focused on commissioning and prescribing, and I was part of the development and operation of a new health center in Harrogate. My goal is to continue advocating for patient-centered care that truly reflects the needs and voices of our community in North Yorkshire.

I had representative roles in commissioning and prescribing healthcare locally and further afield. I was also involved in the development and running of a newbuild health centre in Harrogate. 

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