New Co-Directors appointed to leading health policy unit

The University of Birmingham’s Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) has appointed Helen Parker and Professor Jon Glasby as Co-Directors from 1st August 2008.

HSMC is one of the leading UK centres for research, teaching, consultancy and policy advice in health and social care. 

A qualified social worker by background, Jon Glasby is Professor of Health and Social Care and specialises in inter-agency working, community care and personalising health care.  Helen Parker, currently a Senior Fellow at HSMC, has a 20 year clinical and management NHS background with particular expertise in primary and community health services.

Professor Glasby explains, “In an era of joined-up government, HSMC works with both health and social care.  By reflecting this in our Co-Directorship, we are practising what we preach – this is a piece of partnership working in action.”

Helen Parker adds, “HSMC is committed to both rigour and relevance in health and social care. We hope this new structure will help further develop our reputation as a leading centre for teaching and research, whilst also supporting our successful and established consultancy activity which HSMC is valued for.”

As the Co-Directorship begins, HSMC is also joining with colleagues from the University’s Institute of Applied Social Studies (which specialises in areas such as social work, children’s services, criminal justice and social security) to form a new School of Social Policy. 

Helen Parker continues, “While HSMC will retain its distinctive role and focus, the new School will also enable us to compare and contrast what is happening in health and social care with developments in other areas of the welfare state.

 With a new structure, new directors and the prospect of even stronger collaboration with colleagues from other areas of social policy – we are in a strong position to provide continued high quality research and analysis on the future of the welfare state.” 

ENDS

For further information contact: Ben Hill, Press Officer, University of Birmingham, Tel 0121 414 5134, Mob 07789 921 163

Notes to Editors

Jon Glasby and Helen Parker will take over as co-directors of HSMC on August 1st. They will replace Professor Edward Peck, who has been promoted to be Head of the University’s College of Social Sciences.

HSMC

The Health Services Management Centre is one of the leading centres specialising in development, education and research in health and social care services in the UK. HSMC’s prime purpose is to strengthen the management and leadership of these services and to promote improved health and well-being.

http://www.hsmc.bham.ac.uk