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 Khandelwal
Advisory Board Member
Authorised Enter & View Representative
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 Day
Advisory Board Member
Authorised Enter & View Representative
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.
Lawrence Fafowara
Advisory Board Member
Lawrence has worked for the NHS and digital healthcare provider over the past 10 years.
He is passionate about providers delivering quality healthcare, service development, and advocating for patients. Lawrence has experience of contributing to multidisciplinary teamwork across primary and secondary care.
Abbey Barlow
ISAB Board Clerk
Having recently joined the wider Healthwatch Bedford Borough team, Abbey has experience working within the charity sector across BLMK.
She provides administration support to the Board, which includes diary management, event bookings and minute taking.
If you wish to speak with our Board, please contact Abbey in the first instance via: