Prof James Kingsland steps down from NAPC board

A founding member of the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) - Professor James Kingsland OBE - announced he is to step down as an NAPC Director at the end of March after more than 20 years.

Kingsland joined the association's executive board since its inception and was part of the board of NAPC’s predecessor, the National Association of Fundholding Practices.

Prof Kingsland led the NAPC as its chair for four years from September 2004 and went on to become president of the organisation for 11 years until September 2019.

NAPC Chair Minesh Patel said: “James has played a pivotal role in NAPC over the last 20 years championing reform and steering the direction of the organisation. Most recently he was one of the architects of the primary care home model which subsequently influenced primary care network policy. His knowledge and expertise will be very much missed.”

Prof Kingsland, a GP on the Wirral since 1989, was instrumental in the development and implementation of Personalised Medical Services (PMS) policy in the late 1990s. He helped to lead the development of Practice-Based Commissioning while working as an advisor at the Department of Health.

He became an advisor to Lord Darzi in October 2007 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee New Year Honours List in 2012.

“It is going to be strange not working with the NAPC as it has been a part of my career for the last 20 years,” said Prof Kingsland.

“I am really proud of what the NAPC has achieved since its creation and I’ve been privileged to work with such spirited and hugely talented people in the organisation.

“I leave the NAPC as the established voice of integrated primary care providers and look forward to now watching its ever-increasing role and influence in the betterment of integrated care provision,” he added.