Harsha HAB Chair

Harsha Kotecha

Interim Chair

Harsha has worked in the private sector for 15 years, working as an Analyst before moving to the public sector working in education and training.  

Harsha has been championing patient voice for over 10 years in various roles both locally and nationally. She has built a reputation for forming productive partnerships with providers and commissioners whilst continuing to challenge and advocate for service users. 

 

 

Ashok Hab Member

Ashok Khandelwal

Advisory Board Member

Ashok has over 40 years of experience working in various senior positions across the NHS, Social Care and Probation Services. He moved from Blackpool to Bedford after his retirement from the NHS, where he served in many Voluntary and Community Organisations and has worked with faith organisations as Chair of the Fylde Coast Hindu Society. 

Ashok is passionate about human rights and champions the rights of ethnic communities to equitable care and the need to support the NHS workforce from overseas. He is Hon. Director of Operations and International Affairs for the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) and Executive Board Member of the BAPIO Training Academy. 

Anne HAB Member

Anne Day

Advisory Board Member

Anne has a professional background as a hospital Consultant Doctor, and Medical Educationalist. She is passionate about quality healthcare for all and has worked to break down barriers to accessing healthcare for service users in her specialty. 

Anne is an advocate for communities who struggle to access healthcare, and is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion.  She champions achieving holistic good health, rather than simply focusing on treating diseases. 

Anne is currently a full time carer to her son with disabilities. As a Bedford borough resident, service user, carer and mother, Anne has a good understanding of the interplay between health, social care and education, and strives to facilitate collaborative working. 

 

Sandra HAB member

Sandra Mabbott

Advisory Board Member

Sandra Mabbott has a professional background spanning over 25 years within the realm of Primary Care Services in and around Bedford Borough. Her expertise encompasses an  array of roles, including General Practice Management and Primary Care Network Management. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer at BEDOC, Sandra has consistently leveraged her skills to drive organisational transformation, with a strong commitment to placing the patient at the core of every service.

As a resident and service user within the local community, Sandra possesses a good insight into the challenges faced by patients, service users, and service providers alike. Her aspiration is to harness her communication abilities to further enhance the well-being of the residents of Bedford Borough.