Our Board

Our Board

Dave Bradshaw

I have lived and worked in Sandwell for many years and have a keen interest in health and social care issues facing local residents. I have worked in the community and voluntary sector for nearly 25 years and currently manage an advocacy organisation working throughout Sandwell. I am committed to supporting people in Sandwell to secure their rights, represent their interests and access services they need. I believe that local services are best shaped by involving people who use them in a spirit of true co-production.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to play a role in the strategic development of a number of organisations over the years and have organised and facilitated consultation meetings, user group forums, conferences, Annual General Meetings and 'away days'. At a national level I am an Executive Committee member of the National Coalition of Advocacy Schemes which brings together advocacy schemes from around the country to have a representative and collective voice. I am also Vice-Chair of the Older People’s Advocacy Alliance, the only national organisation supporting independent advocacy services for older people in the UK.

Stephanie Thomas

Stephanie Thomas migrated from the twin-island of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. She is a highly motivated and competent healthcare professional with over 30 years ‘experience in speciality areas including general nursing, intensive care, midwifery and health visiting. Her stewardship of healthcare is evidenced by positions held - staff nurse, midwife and community nurse - being part of the team that commissioned the EWMSCA ICU and Haemodialysis Units in Trinidad. Thomas worked in NHS Yorkshire and the West Midlands Region for over 10 years as Renal Dialysis Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist and with other community based organisations as a volunteer . She is currently reading for a MSc in Public Health. 

Rajneesh Kaur

Having lived in Sandwell for most of my life, I'd now like to give back to the community which has given so much to me. This is why I have snapped up the opportunity to volunteer with Healthwatch. My interest lies in healthcare, particularly so in deprescribing, which in simple terms is the process of weaning off medication safely. Using personal life experience, I'd like to contribute positively in ways that I can with the skills that I have acquired. Change takes patience and time.

Tonia Flannagan.

I have lived in Sandwell for most of my life, born in Smethwick (a few years ago now). I have previously worked as a grants officer for the National Lottery (Awards for All grants programme) and have been the CEO at St Albans Community Association since August 2004. St Albans is a medium size charity in the form of a community centre, probably the largest community centre in Sandwell. I am the secretary for the charity and have been instrumental in its strategic and operational success. I have a place on the Health and Social Care Forum and VCS Leaders Forum and am a member of Communities in Sync. Working in Sandwell for the last 19 years has given me great insight into the health sector. Local organisations play a pivotal role in supporting local people to ensure they are well supported, informed, and live the best life for them. Local people should shape local services, and local services represent what local people need. 

I joined Healthwatch in April 2023 as I have historically worked with staff individually, read a number of their reports and have the upmost respect for the work they do and feel a great sense of satisfaction in contributing to giving local people a voice.

Amritpal Randhawa.

A retired, highly experienced nurse with 46 years of dedicated service within the NHS, I built a career defined by compassion, innovation, and excellence. I began my training at East Birmingham Hospital in the early 1970s before moving to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), where I completed my orthopaedic diploma and dedicated over four decades to improving patient care.

My philosophy has always been rooted in delivering the highest standard of care and ensuring good access to services. As the Outpatients Clinical Manager for the final 15 years of my career, I led transformative projects, including. Establishing a state-of-the-art outpatient department from scratch.

Developing the NHS’s interpreting and translating policy to meet the needs of diverse communities. Procuring bespoke interpretation services, ensuring seamless communication between patients and healthcare professionals. 

Beyond my professional achievements, I draw immense inspiration from the people I’ve worked alongside and the patients I’ve had the privilege to serve. Their resilience and dedication fuelled my passion for transforming healthcare services and ensuring they evolve to meet future challenges. My personal life has been equally fulfilling. My greatest achievement is raising three strong, independent, and educated daughters, who are a testament to the values I hold dear: hard work, compassion, and integrity.

I find relaxation through hobbies like knitting, sewing, learning crochet, and macramé. These crafts not only provide a creative outlet but also focus my mind and keep me grounded.

Looking back, I am proud to have left a legacy of care, innovation, and empowerment, both within the NHS and in the lives of those I’ve touched. I hope my journey inspires others to embrace their potential and make a lasting difference.