Pratima Dattani - Chief Executive
Pratima has over 25 years’ experience in supporting communities, working in local government and the third sector supporting and managing organisations. Pratima has significant strategic and operational management experience in community development/regeneration and building transformative and innovative service models based on co-production and collaborative approaches.
Rashmi Shah - Advisory Group Co-Chair
Rashmi is a blind disabled person, guide dog owner, and expert by experience in health and social care. With a strong background in community representation, Rashmi champions racial health inequality, disability inclusion, and equitable access to services. He has held leadership and board roles across the voluntary, health, and housing sectors, and currently serves as a Governor at Kettering General Hospital Trust and Trustee of Northamptonshire Carers. Drawing on lived experience as a former carer for his mother with vascular dementia, Rashmi is passionate about amplifying minority and disabled voices and helping shape more inclusive, collaborative, and community-led health and social care services.
Gill Mercer - Advisory Group Co-Chair
With extensive experience across local government and health partnerships, Gill has developed a strong understanding of health and social care systems through leadership roles on Northamptonshire councils. As former Cabinet Member for Adults, Health & Wellbeing at North Northants Council, they chaired the Northamptonshire Health & Wellbeing Board and co-chaired the Integrated Care Partnership, helping to shape local health strategy and services. They continue to support community health initiatives, including projects focused on childhood obesity, mental health, and improving GP services. Passionate about community engagement, they are committed to strengthening public involvement, expanding volunteer networks, and ensuring local voices help drive improvements in health and care services.
Jacqueline Parkes - Advisory Group Co-Chair
Professor Jacqueline Parkes is Professor of Applied Mental Health at the University of Northampton and co-founder of the Northamptonshire Dementia Research & Innovation Centre. With a background in mental health nursing and extensive experience across health, social care, and higher education, Jackie specialises in dementia care, public and patient involvement, and person-centred research. She leads and supports a range of community initiatives for people living with dementia and their carers, with a particular focus on young onset dementia and early intervention. Jackie works closely with local and national organisations to improve dementia services, influence policy, and promote inclusive, evidence-based approaches to care, education, and research.
Claire Neilson - Service Manager
Our Healthwatch Service Manager, Claire Neilson has a background in the community and voluntary sector infrastructure, with experience of integrating the vital work of this sector into an integrated care philosophy. Claire works to advocate on behalf of our seldom heard communities in Health and Social Care, making sure that when services are re-designed that the care needs of all our communities are considered in decision making within integrated care and neighbourhood health.
Yahya Ibn John - Research and Community Engagement Manager
Yahya has a diverse professional background spanning IT, data analysis, the prison service, and mental health services within the county. He is passionate about understanding people’s lived experiences, particularly the challenges they face, and uses his knowledge of health and social care systems to help make life easier for individuals. In his role, Yahya works closely with residents and health and social care professionals across North Northamptonshire, engaging with the community to gather feedback on their experiences of health and social care services. He provides advice, information, and support to help people access the services they need, while also identifying key trends and insights. These findings are used to inform reports that contribute to shaping and improving the wider health and social care system.