I am, in active retirement, a patient and public voice advocate. I try to represent and amplify public involvement as a member of the Patient and Public Voice Assurance Group which looks at specialised commissioning nationally. Here in Newcastle, I am a Public Governor of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and lead my GP’s Patients’ Voice Group. My skills focus on improving communication. My aim is to ensure the public voice is heard and that we all understand what is happening so that we can respond in an informed and positive way. The Newcastle MIC values clarity of communication and the public interest throughout its work, so it is a pleasure to support them.