Board of Directors
Dr Shikha Pitalia
Chair represents Cardium
Dr Shikha Pitalia
Chair represents Cardium
Dr. Shikha Pitalia is an experienced General Practitioner and a proven leader in primary care innovation. With a strong track record of delivering high-quality healthcare at scale, she has played a pivotal role in transforming general practice in the North West of England.
As Co-Founder of SSP Health, the region’s largest primary care provider, Dr. Pitalia has led the development of a federated General Practice model, streamlining operations across 40+ practices and enhancing care for over 230,000 patients. She pioneered the Acute Visiting Service (AVS), a system that optimises GP home visits, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, an initiative now widely implemented across England.
In addition to her leadership at SSP Health, Dr. Pitalia co-founded Pall Mall Medical, a private healthcare provider focused on accessible, patient-centred services. She also serves as Chair of the GP Alliance, overseeing the delivery of 24/7 primary care for over 330,000 patients in Wigan, ensuring innovative, coordinated, and responsive healthcare services.
Dr. Pitalia’s influence extends beyond frontline care. A Fellow of the British International Doctors’ Association (BIDA), she has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the medical profession, fostering a workforce that reflects and serves diverse communities.
Her contributions to healthcare innovation, patient access, and system-wide efficiencies have earned her national recognition. She remains committed to strengthening general practice, improving patient outcomes, and driving sustainable healthcare solutions that meet the needs of both patients and professionals.
Dr Ian Owen
Clinical Director represents Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare
Biography coming soon
Wendy Fairhurst
Clinical Govenance Director represents Health First CiC
Wendy Fairhurst
Clinical Govenance Director represents Health First CiC
Wendy has worked for Health First as Clinical Director since its inception in 2010 and represents Health First on the board of Wigan GP Alliance.
Wendy has been working in Primary Care since 1990 when she was one of the first practice nurses in the country and subsequently in 1993 became one of the first Nurse Practitioners.
She progressed to becoming practice nurse course leader and Programme Director for the MSc in Clinical Nursing at the University of Manchester and external examiner for Non-Medical Prescribing and Primary Care Nursing at the University of Wolverhampton.
For 6 years she was chair of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner forum at the Royal College of Nursing and represented the RCN on national working parties with regard to nurses in commissioning. She was also on the working party which developed the RCN advanced practitioner credentialing system.
Jill Newton
Finance Director represents Cardium
Biography coming soon
Toni Cooper
Data and Security Director represents Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare
Biography coming soon
Karen Holgate
Operational Director represents Health First CiC
Karen Holgate
Operational Director represents Health First CiC
Karen is a founding member and Director of Health First ALW which was set up in 2010.
Karen has worked in the NHS for 44years. Being a GP Practice Manager and Prior to that working for the CCG ( FPC, Health authority and a few other names that the organisation has had over the last 40+ years). Karen has always worked in primary care and has attained a great and varied knowledge of over the years.
Leadership day to day within the organisation
Warren Liptrot
Director of Operations
Biography coming soon
Dr Imran Zahid
Clinical Lead
Biography coming soon
Carolyn Dereszkiewicz
Compliance, Complaints and Compliments Lead
Biography coming soon
Karen Griffiths
HR and Administration Lead
Biography coming soon
Andrea Smith
Service Manager
Biography coming soon
Lisa McChrystal
Telephony and Facilities Manager
Biography coming soon
Marcus Horsman
Operations Manager
Biography coming soon