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Meet our Lay Leaders
Pam Essler
Lay Leader
PSTRC Role:
Lay Leader working with a remit to support researchers in terms of their patient and public involvement and engagement activities
Other relevant roles:
- Co-opted Lay member on Governing Body of Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
- Lay member of national Evidence Based Interventions Expert Advisory Committee
- Lay member West Yorkshire and Harrogate Planned Care Alliance
- Chair of Keighley Healthy Living and Bradford and Airedale Citizens Advice Bureau
- Trustee of Project 6 and Community Action Bradford
- School Governor at a local independent school and a secondary school in central Bradford
About me:
As a science graduate I have in the past taught groups of all ages and abilities. At the same time I have had a variety of lay roles within the NHS covering most aspects of healthcare but always focusing on outcomes for patients. Since leaving full time employment I have become far more active in my local community working with local charities and becoming a school governor as health and well being together with education are my true passions in life!
I’m a Lay Leader because:
I believe that the views and experiences of patients and the public play a vital part in informing and shaping research into health and social care. By working within the PSTRC I hope to support the development of stronger , meaningful links between researchers and the public helping to release the research potential within us all!
My interests are:
Spending time with friends and family. Planning for the next season in my garden!
Kate Smyth
Lay Leader
PSTRC Role:
Other Relevant Roles:
- Non-Executive Director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- Member of the Cabinet Office Disability Unit, NW Regional Stakeholder Disability Network
About Me:
I am a Chartered Town Planner by profession and I worked for many years in local government in several deprived areas of the UK. I retired on ill-health grounds in the late 1980s and then worked freelance as a Disability Consultant, often establishing and developing user led groups of disabled people to become critical friends. In 2012, I joined Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as a Lay Member (Patient and Public Involvement). I was involved in consultation, involvement and engagement work for the CCG, including a large piece of work relating to the reconfiguration of health services in Calderdale and Huddersfield.
In 2019, I was appointed as a Non-Executive Director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where I lead on patient experience. In October 2019, I spoke at a PSTRC conference looking at the way that vulnerable people are nursed in hospital and in October this year I spoke about patient safety in the home. I am a full-time wheelchair user and I am always accompanied by my very handsome golden retriever assistance dog called Zy.
I’m a Lay Leader because…
I joined the PSTRC as a Lay Leader in January 2018, so I have been involved from the beginning. I am a member of the Patient Involvement in Patient Safety theme. I really enjoy my role, the team are extremely friendly. I help to ensure that patients and the public are involved in research from the very beginning and not just a tick box/token participant. It is much better to involve people early, rather than at the end when would end up putting things right, retrospectively!
My interests are…
Health and social care. Co-production. Personalisation-putting the patient/service user at the heart of everything so that they have choice and control. Equality, diversity and inclusion. Disability awareness. Social housing. Keeping my assistance dog busy, looking after my cats, chickens and geese. Listening to classical music, being head gardener, and meeting friends for meals.
Hilary Thompson
Lay Leader
PSTRC Role:
Lay Leader for Workforce Engagement and Wellbeing Theme
Other Relevant Roles:
- Independent Member of the Kirklees Integrated Care Place Committee
- Trustee of Third Sector Leaders Kirklees
- Trustee of Ripon Community Link
- Volunteer for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
About Me:
I was born in Kent and moved to Yorkshire in 1983 during my 26 year career with WH Smith plc. After three years as Towns Manager for Batley & Dewsbury, I joined the voluntary sector as CEO for Batley Resource Centre and then CEO of Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees. I was involved part-time with Age UK at a regional level and in voluntary roles particularly championing the third sector. I was a Lay Member of Kirklees CCG for three years before transitioning to the ICB role. I stepped down from being the Senior Responsible Officer for the Harnessing Power of Communities for West Yorkshire on 31stAugust 2022. I am a Lay Member of the Workforce Engagement and Wellbeing theme and work closely with researchers, healthcare staff and patients to improve safety by encouraging better staff engagement.
I’m a Lay Leader because…
I wanted to get involved in a different aspect of health and social care and hope that my experience and breadth of knowledge across many parts of the “system” can be useful. I wanted to keep busy and continue to learn and interact with people.
My interests are…
I have a passion for running, including 10k and half marathons. I enjoy the theatre and eating out. I have a brother living in New Zealand so particularly enjoy travelling to the country to visit when I can. Promoting the amazing work of the voluntary sector and trying to make a difference for people. Having moved from Kirklees to North Yorkshire in January 2021 I am finding new interests and hobbies such as Petanque, Pilates and rediscovering the cinema.
Nazreen Butt
Lay Leader
PSTRC Role:
Other Relevant Roles:
- Senior Youth Worker
- Magistrate
- Health Champion
About Me:
I was born and raised in Bradford and have worked and studied in Bradford all of my life. I have over 25 years’ experience in serving the public as a Senior Youth Worker, Magistrate and Health Champion. Over the decades I have been an upstanding citizen and have been actively involved in serving the public. Through my invaluable experiences and as a Lay Member of the Safe Use of Medicines theme, I have gained a deeper understanding and greater knowledge on the safe use of medicines, from a patient, carer and from a practitioner point of view.
I’m a Lay Leader because…
I have extensive experience of dealing with medical staff in a hospital setting and I am passionate about improving the safe use of medicines. I have acquired an excellent understanding on the challenges faced by the patient population and feel I have a lot to offer.
My interests are…
I enjoy spending time outdoors, going on long walks, hikes and often participate in charity events. To try staying fit and healthy, I go swimming three times a week. I enjoy traveling to experience and learn about other cultures.