Our Chair

Christopher Cunnington-Shore

Chris retired from his own consultancy company in 2015. Since then he has been a member of a number of health and social care related working groups and committees. Prior to establishing his own consultancy company, he held a number of senior managerial positions during his long career working for both the NHS and the Department of Health. He is a former University Visiting Professor and in addition to Chairing Healthwatch County Durham since 2019, he also Chairs a number of local 'health' related committees within the Sedgefield locality. He has devoted over 40 years to health, social care and charity work within the County.

Our board members

Dr Lakkur Murthy

With half a century of NHS involvement, being a doctor, consultant, clinical director and governor, Murthy has a good understanding of the NHS, social care, public health, clinical commissioning and provision of services and has been a member/chair of local, regional, national and international committees.

Murthy is keen to support and develop the work of Healthwatch to ensure the citizens of County Durham have the opportunity to give their comments and receive appropriate and accurate information to obtain the services they require when they need them.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to use my knowledge, skills and experience to serve Healthwatch County Durham”.

Jim Welch

Being a blind, disabled person and a wheelchair user from 1990, Jim has a strong interest in health services provided for the community of County Durham. By joining Healthwatch County Durham Jim feels he has something to offer as a Board member.

Jim is a member of a variety of groups including Chief Executive of Blindlife, a member of Durham Disability Partnership and Board Member of Disability Independent Advisory Group for Durham Constabulary.

Tony Bentley 

Tony worked for Healthwatch County Durham for two years after volunteering for seven and now serves on the Board while continuing to volunteer. He focuses on reaching people who may struggle to engage with health and social care services, ensuring their voices are heard and helping to drive real improvements. Tony previously served in the Royal Navy and went on to build a varied career spanning project management, operational development and charity work. Since moving to County Durham 10 years ago, he has remained committed to giving back to his community, motivated by a passion for improving outcomes for people who might otherwise go unheard.

Zena Jones

Zena has worked in the NHS and related organisations for over 35 years and has a wide variety of experiences at strategic level especially in patient carer public involvement and engagement, particularly in clinical research settings. Strategic experience of workforce and organisation development including training, education, facilitation and change management. 

In addition, Zena is a passionate advocate of those people with ‘hidden’ disabilities such as those who have mental health issues or those with chronic long term illness who have issues such as fatigue.

Charles McCaughey

With many years' experiences in the NHS, I have held senior leadership roles including Director of primary care, commissioning, director for mental health service and public health head. 

I am passionate about ensuring that everyone in County Durham has access to high quality inclusive and person centred health and social care. 

Healthwatch's role in championing service user feedback, and shaping improvements, align closely with my personal values

Past Board minutes

We hold bi-monthly Board meetings where members of the public are welcome to attend. We discuss what we've been hearing from the public as well as our organisational direction and progress on our work. 

Board Governance Arrangements

If you would like a copy of any of the other papers from our previous Board meetings, or minutes from older meetings, please get in touch with us at info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk

Interested in coming to our next Board meeting in public?

If you're interested in attending our next Board Meeting in public, please get in touch and let us know.