Social care expert appointed as Chair of Stakeholder Forum

An expert in social care has been appointed by Health Technology Wales (HTW) as Chair of its newly formed Stakeholder Forum.

Sarah McCarty, who is Director of Improvement and Development at Social Care Wales, will chair the forum which is due to meet twice a year and includes representatives from across the health and social care sector  in Wales.

It was set up to ensure HTW understands the views of stakeholders and enables them to influence its work in identifying, appraising and adopting care technologies that could improve the lives of patients in Wales.  As well as supporting HTW’s work programme, the forum will provide guidance on priorities for care services in Wales.

Sarah started her career as a youth worker before going on to work with vulnerable young people in different settings and becoming a founding member of the then Children and Youth People’s Welsh Assembly.  She held positions in local authorities and wider business planning and service improvement and has a Masters in Strategic Management. She became Director of Skills for Care and Development in 2008 and joined Social Care Wales as a Director in April 2016.

She said: “I am delighted to be asked to Chair the Stakeholder Forum to support, inform and guide the important work of HTW. This is a wonderful opportunity to work collaboratively with stakeholders across social care and health in Wales to ultimately maximise our adoption of evidence appraised care technologies”

Dr Susan Myles, Director of Health Technology Wales, went on to say: “We are very pleased to welcome Sarah McCarty as Chair of our Stakeholder Forum. She brings to the role a wealth of experience in the social care sector which will prove invaluable when ensuring we understand and meet the needs of the care sector in Wales.”

The first meeting of the forum was held in May and attendees included representatives of, the Royal College of Physicians, health boards and the Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Welsh Government.

Peter Groves, HTW Chairman said: “This Forum comprises a very important group of collaborators whose advice and opinions will be of great value to HTW in helping to ensure that we fulfil our objectives to improve the health and welfare of the people of Wales.  Sarah brings to this role considerable experience and expertise in social care and I very much look forward to working with her.”