'Unless people feel listened to, they will lose confidence in the NHS'

The latest issue of Healthcare Leader's cover interview is with Sir Robert Francis, new chair of Healthwatch and the chair of the two inquiries into the disastrous failings in care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Sir Robert discusses greater public involvement in shaping health and social care, changing the culture within the NHS, the potential impact of Brexit on the sector, and what constitutes great leadership – among other pressing topics.

In this issue we also take a closer look at the important issue of tackling childhood obesity, in light of rising levels, and what is being done to address this at a local level – highlighting initiatives being implemented by councils across England.

The last Healthcare Leader issue of the year also contains interviews with Nick Broughton, chief executive of Southern Health Trust – who talks about turning a challenged trust around – and Royal College of Physicians president Professor Andrew Goddard, who explains why workforce, wellbeing and a global focus are his priorities for his four years in charge.

Other content includes an interview with Dr Tom Milligan, GP partner at Practice One in Bridlington and GP primary care lead for East Riding of Yorkshire CCG, who was named Healthcare Leader of the Year at the General Practice Awards 2018. We also have an in-depth feature highlighting how STPs can collaborate more closely with ambulance trusts – among other content.