WA welcomes David Thorne as Senior Advisor

• David Thorne, originally a nurse, has held NHS leadership positions within hospital, community, primary care and commissioning organisations.
• He will support WA’s health policy-led communications team as part of our advisory board – which brings together high-profile figures from Westminster, the media, and the health service.
• The appointment reflects the increasing challenges faced by industry in identifying precise ideas that can change health for better within the national health system, in response to the new government’s focus on transforming primary care.

David, Director of Transformation at Well Up North Primary Care Network, will provide invaluable insight and connections into the NHS of today and the future.

WA’s leading Health team (recently awarded Communications Consultancy of the Year at the Communique Awards) has appointed David Thorne – former Chair and CEO of several primary care alliances, a past CCG Manager of the Year and programme director of multiple transformation projects – most notably the original NHS 111 prototype – as part of its advisory board.

WA’s advisory board brings together senior figures from the communications industry, Westminster, the media, and the health sector, including former Labour Treasury and Department of Health and Social Care Special Advisor Jennifer Gerber; former CEO of Grayling UK Alison Clarke; Mike Bell, who has more than 20 years of NHS board level experience and is currently the Chair of NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust; and former senior civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam who brings a deep understanding of government operations and policy-making processes.

David’s appointment comes at a time when clients and the wider industry are facing increasing challenges in bridging national and local NHS policy. His insight and understanding into the upper workings of the health system provide invaluable knowledge into how and with whom to connect, which will be especially key as the new government reviews and works to evolve primary care.

David brings 30 years’ experience of market access, with his work as Director of Transformation at Well Up North Primary Care Network (covering north Northumberland and its 65,000 patients) currently focusing on Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and the use of digital tech to bring care closer to home. He is also a Trustee of Hospice Care North Northumberland.

Dean Sowman, Head of Health at WA Communications, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome David Thorne to our advisory board. His extensive experience and deep knowledge of the national health service, primary care and market access will further enhance our strategic counsel. He will bring invaluable insights to our life sciences clients on how to bridge the gap between national health policy and local NHS implementation.”

David Thorne, Senior Advisor said:

“WA believe that improvements in health and care are always possible – something that I was drawn to – and the advisory board reflects the breadth of strategic advice that the team is able to provide, and the policy and reputational outcomes it achieves. I’m delighted to be able to add my experience to this, as we work collaboratively to ensure access to health innovations and improve patient outcomes across the country.”