Stuart Palma

Area of expertise: clinical and strategy

Stuart is the Professional Head of Allied Health Professions (AHPs) at NHS Improvement, supporting NHS providers to realise and unleash the potential of the AHP workforce. AHPs are the third largest workforce in the NHS, made up of 14 unique professions. A physiotherapist by profession, Stuart has worked in a number of clinical, operational and non-clinical roles across the NHS, private and professional body sectors, at local, regional and national levels.

Stuart’s interests and work portfolios include leadership and culture, quality/service improvement and programme/project management. He is passionate about an authentic, values-based approach to leadership, to ensure organisations are able to develop and embed healthy, sustainable and effective working cultures.

On the Board of Trustees, Stuart is particularly interested in the delivery of care, quality assurance and strategic direction. When asked why he wanted to become a Trustee of St Barnabas Hospices, Stuart said: “I feel that my knowledge and experience of working at a national level within healthcare, will allow me to contribute to the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care provided by St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House, to both individuals and populations now and into the future”.