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UHUK response to the 2024 UK budget announcement
Author: Sharon Clifton
Urgent Health UK (UHUK) welcomes the government’s focus on healthcare in this year’s budget. As a network of social enterprises delivering urgent, integrated, and out-of-hospital care for two-thirds of the UK population, UHUK is uniquely positioned to support the anticipated ten-year plan and the key shifts identified in the Darzi review that will shape the future of healthcare.
Today’s announcement of a £25.7 billion investment in the NHS over this year and next is both timely and essential. Of this, £3.1 billion is allocated for capital investment in NHS estates and infrastructure, while £22.6 billion supports the NHS's day-to-day budget. These funds, alongside measures targeting wider health determinants—such as smoking, vaping, and sugar consumption, air quality improvement, social care investment, and homelessness—demonstrate a commitment to addressing holistic health factors.
We commend the targeted investments aimed at reducing wait times and strengthening infrastructure in primary care settings. However, UHUK stresses that these funds must be thoughtfully directed toward areas and services where patient demand is highest. Strategic allocation to frontline urgent care will enable quicker, more efficient care, particularly in areas where healthcare access has historically been limited.
While encouraged by the government’s emphasis on bolstering healthcare, UHUK recognises that continued investment and innovation are critical. We await further detail on how these funds will be distributed to optimise patient care and stand ready to collaborate with policymakers and NHS partners to deliver a resilient, patient-focused healthcare system for all.
UHUK appoints new Medical Director
Author: Sharon Clifton
Dr Dawood Anwar has been appointed as the new Medical Director of Urgent Health UK (UHUK), bringing with him extensive experience of urgent care in both primary and secondary care settings and a deep commitment to high-quality patient care.
Dawood, who is the Chief Accountable Officer and Medical Director at Salford Primary Care
Together (SPCT), and Clinical Performance and Development Lead for Greater Manchester Urgent Primary Care Alliance (GMUPCA), holds membership with the Royal College of General Practitioners as well as the Royal College of Surgeons, and was first and foremost a clinician. He has a unique insight into how urgent care providers can bridge the gap between primary and secondary care provision.During his time at SPCT he designed innovative clinical pathways that enabled patients to receive care based on clinical priority, regardless of how they had accessed the service, and received positive feedback for this urgent treatment centre during the NHS accreditation process. It was on of the very first partially-virtual urgent treatment centres.
As Clinical Performance and Development Lead for GMUPCA, Dawood has helped develop and implement protocols and guidance for members delivering one of the largest Clinical
Assessment Services in the UK.Commenting on his appointment, Dr Dawood Anwar said: “I am excited to have been appointed as Medical Director of UHUK and welcome the opportunity to contribute towards
the organisation’s ongoing growth and success. I am looking forward to working with the UHUK leadership team and am particularly keen to continue and develop the existing collaboration and knowledge sharing, to take part in research initiatives and to explore innovative ideas, supported by real-world data, that members can adopt and can be acknowledged as best practice for integrated and urgent primary care.”UHUK is a partnership of urgent healthcare social enterprise providers who cover two thirds of the UK population. UHUK champions its members’ interests with one voice in the media, and with stakeholders in the government, NHS, and healthcare community. It supports innovation and enterprise among its members enabling them to collectively push boundaries, address challenges and grow.
Dawood added: “UHUK has a clear ambition to become a centre of excellence and to actively shape NHS policy. With my background and experience, I very much look forward to helping turn this ambition into a reality, ensuring that our focus is on the very best patient-centred care for all.”
UHUK Chief Executive Conor Burke said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Dawood Anwar as the new Medical Director. He is a committed and active member of UHUK and brings with him a fresh perspective and new insights. He is known to our members and understands both the urgent and integrated care arena as well as being a champion for social enterprise and entrepreneurial innovation. I very much look forward to working with him and the new Chair Nigel Gazzard when they take up their roles later this year."
Dr Dawood Anwar’s appointment will begin in December, taking over from Dr Simon Abrams,
GP Lead at Great Homer Street Surgery, Liverpool, who is the current Medical Director and Chair.New Member CEO Non-Exec Director elected
Author: Sharon Clifton
Michaela Buck, Chief Executive of Mastercall Healthcare, an award-winning social enterprise organisation based in Manchester, has been elected to join the UHUK Board as a Member CEO Non-Executive Director.
Michaela is an active and committed member of UHUK, who brings with her a wealth of skills knowledge and experience, along with an entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering attitude.
Commenting on her election to the board, Michaela Buck said: “I am delighted to have been elected as the new CEO-NED for UHUK and I am incredibly grateful for all the kind messages of support and congratulations I have received. I am also delighted that whilst I am filling the vacancy that Nigel Gazzard left, he has been appointed as the new Chair.
“I very much hope that my closer involvement with the UHUK Board will bring benefits for our members, specifically in respect of lobbying and raising awareness of social enterprises and the significant contribution they make to NHS provision. I am particularly looking forward to supporting and continuing to encourage the amazing peer group collaborations and camaraderie that already exists between members. I am truly optimistic for the future and passionately believe in what we do individually and as a partnership.”
UHUK is a partnership of urgent healthcare social enterprise providers who cover two thirds of the UK population. UHUK champions its members’ interests with one voice in the media, and with stakeholders in the government, NHS, and healthcare community. It supports innovation and enterprise among its members enabling them to collectively push boundaries, address challenges and grow.
UHUK Chief Executive Conor Burke said: “Michaela is a well-respected CEO of UHUK Member Mastercall Healthcare. Over the ten years that Michaela has been a member CEO she has been an active and engaged member, demonstrating her commitment to, and passion for, social enterprise healthcare provision. She is an energetic and forthright advocate for the work of UHUK and its members, and for the role of social enterprise in supporting our NHS. I am delighted that she has been elected by our members to represent them on the UHUK Board as a Member CEO Non-Exec Director and I look forward to working with her more closely.
Michaela’s appointment will begin in October, taking over from former Member CEO NED Nigel Gazzard, who has been appointed as the new Chair of UHUK.