Lara Littler

I have over 20 years’ experience managing frontline NHS services within both Community and Acute NHS Trusts. I have been in my current role for seven years as Centre Manager for the Specialised Ability Centre Manchester, which provides Wheelchair, Prosthetic and Orthotic services for Manchester and Trafford and surrounding areas. I am passionate about improving services for patients and ensuring that they are involved in all aspects of their care. This is especially important in my current role for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust where I support two patient user groups and facilitate communication between these groups and senior managers/ commissioners. These incredible individuals have influenced local policies and funding and allowed us to make improvements to the service that are of benefit to the users.

I am aware how National policies and guidelines can affect provision of care at a local level and I have seen both the positive and negative influences this can have on the standard of services. My role as chair of the National Wheelchair Managers Forum enables wheelchair services to have a voice within the National arena. I am enthusiastic about being a member of the Wheelchair Alliance and representing wheelchair managers and the service users I support on this forum