IN MEMORY OF ...
MICHAEL ENGLISH
24 December 1930 - 16 July 2019
24 December 1930 - 16 July 2019
Rochdale Borough Council 1953-65
Member of Parliament for Nottingham West from 1964 to 1983.
Lambeth Councillor 1990 to 2012
Member of Parliament for Nottingham West from 1964 to 1983.
Lambeth Councillor 1990 to 2012
A Tribute to Michael English from a Colleague
Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum Ambulance Services (London) Ltd (PFLAS)
Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum Ambulance Services (London) Ltd (PFLAS)
I first met Michael in the 1990s when he was a Lambeth Councillor and member of Lambeth Community Health Council (CHC) - I was then the Chief Officer of Southwark CHC.
They were days of great battles about the appalling services provided by some of our local hospitals, and it quickly became apparent to me that Michael was a person with considerable commitment to transforming our NHS services, and who knew how to influence local decision makers. In that period, we were able to challenge the local health system and radically transform services, especially those in King’s Casualty.
I always thought that Michael spoke softly, but was heard clearly and loudly by those we were challenging.
When I contacted Michael’s friends and colleagues in preparation for a celebration of his achievements a few years ago, the response was fantastic and very touching. So many people responded with wonderful memories of Michael’s life and work, and the pleasure of working with him.
Over a period of 65 years, Michael showed great distinction in his commitment to public life and in particular his commitment to creating effective health services both locally and nationally. He always showed steadfast and determined support for public involvement and accountability, and showed leadership in so many areas of public life.
Michael excelled as a Member of Parliament, as a Lambeth Councillor, as President of HAPIA ( the Healthwatch and Public Involvement Association), as a member of Lambeth Healthwatch, the Socialist Health Association and the Patients’ Forum for the London Ambulance Service. Michael was a leading member of the Patients’ Forum, and a major force for converting the LAS into a body that listened to patients and acted to create better emergency services.
As Wendy Mead - Chief Commoner of the City of London and leader of the ‘Save Bart’s Campaign’ said: “I have huge respect for Michael, always a calm, well informed and balanced presence. He stands up for so many not able to voice their views, with so much weight and coherence”.
He was cared for wonderfully by his wife Carol at the end of his life and supported by excellent carers. It was a privilege to have spent time with Michael throughout his life and near his end, in his home and near the fascinating collection of books that he was so attached to.
Michael was a wonderful friend and comrade. We will all miss him very much.
Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum
For some of Michael's interesting contributions to Public Debate in the Commons, click here ...
They were days of great battles about the appalling services provided by some of our local hospitals, and it quickly became apparent to me that Michael was a person with considerable commitment to transforming our NHS services, and who knew how to influence local decision makers. In that period, we were able to challenge the local health system and radically transform services, especially those in King’s Casualty.
I always thought that Michael spoke softly, but was heard clearly and loudly by those we were challenging.
When I contacted Michael’s friends and colleagues in preparation for a celebration of his achievements a few years ago, the response was fantastic and very touching. So many people responded with wonderful memories of Michael’s life and work, and the pleasure of working with him.
Over a period of 65 years, Michael showed great distinction in his commitment to public life and in particular his commitment to creating effective health services both locally and nationally. He always showed steadfast and determined support for public involvement and accountability, and showed leadership in so many areas of public life.
Michael excelled as a Member of Parliament, as a Lambeth Councillor, as President of HAPIA ( the Healthwatch and Public Involvement Association), as a member of Lambeth Healthwatch, the Socialist Health Association and the Patients’ Forum for the London Ambulance Service. Michael was a leading member of the Patients’ Forum, and a major force for converting the LAS into a body that listened to patients and acted to create better emergency services.
As Wendy Mead - Chief Commoner of the City of London and leader of the ‘Save Bart’s Campaign’ said: “I have huge respect for Michael, always a calm, well informed and balanced presence. He stands up for so many not able to voice their views, with so much weight and coherence”.
He was cared for wonderfully by his wife Carol at the end of his life and supported by excellent carers. It was a privilege to have spent time with Michael throughout his life and near his end, in his home and near the fascinating collection of books that he was so attached to.
Michael was a wonderful friend and comrade. We will all miss him very much.
Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Patients' Forum
For some of Michael's interesting contributions to Public Debate in the Commons, click here ...
WILLIAM G. MARKS
A Tribute to Bill Marks from a Colleague
Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales (ACHCEW)
Malcolm Alexander, Chair, Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales (ACHCEW)
Bill Marks was Vice Chair of the Patients' Forum when Malcolm Alexander was its Chair.
Bill created the original Patients' Forum LAS website at the time of the nationwide PPI Forums under the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) who refused to fund the website. He maintained the site on a voluntary basis up to his death.
Bill was also the IT and Technical Services Manager at the Association of Community Health Councils (ACHCEW) and was responsible for the archiving of all its documents - publications, newletters, briefings, articles and press cuttings celebrating the work of ACHCEW and Community Health Councils. ACHCEW was abolished by the Government on 01 December 2003. www.achcew.org
Bill Marks was Vice Chair of the Patients' Forum when Malcolm Alexander was its Chair.
Bill created the original Patients' Forum LAS website at the time of the nationwide PPI Forums under the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) who refused to fund the website. He maintained the site on a voluntary basis up to his death.
Bill was also the IT and Technical Services Manager at the Association of Community Health Councils (ACHCEW) and was responsible for the archiving of all its documents - publications, newletters, briefings, articles and press cuttings celebrating the work of ACHCEW and Community Health Councils. ACHCEW was abolished by the Government on 01 December 2003. www.achcew.org