Gary spent 32 years working in H M Civil Service, in various finance, Government grants and local taxation areas of work – but he’s alright now!

Having survived all of that, Gary retired a few years ago and now has the opportunity to bring his enthusiasm and experience to his voluntary roles with the Newcastle Hospital Trust, foremost amongst them the APEX (Advising on the Patient Experience) Group. Other NHS voluntary roles for Gary have included giving clerical support to the Outpatients unit at the RVI, Emergency Event contingency role-play exercises, as well as helping out at the Eye Clinic Liaison Office (ECLO). Gary has completed several stints assisting Tyneside Kidney Patients Association during their annual patient surveys at the Freeman Hospital (prior to Covid-19, of course).

Gary is also highly interested in health research, especially on how it can be made more accessible to the public; this directed him to the Newcastle MIC, whereupon he became an Insight Panel member in early 2020.

In his spare time, Gary enjoys looking after and walking his three dogs, reading, drawing, cinema, dining out, music and Mexican cooking – but not all at the same time, that would be simply crazy!