Following treatment for Leukaemia and recovering from MRSA, which Ashley contracted in a local general hospital, Ashley has devoted the last ten years of his life helping to improve the patient experience within the NHS. Ashley launched the self funded “Max Clean Hands Campaign” to improve hygiene in all hospitals. The campaign was so successful it is has now been recommended and endorsed by the Chief Nursing Officer, Dame Christine Beasley, to be used across the NHS in the fight against infection control and has received really positive feedback.

Ashley was asked by Joan Saddler OBE from the Department of Health to pilot the role of National Patient Champion and to join the team at NHS London in May 2010. As National Patient Champion his role engages with NHS staff, patients, patient groups and forums, Links, PALS and the charity sector to gain views and issues and to evaluate the current state of play of patient experience. The role and the information compiled will be used as part of the strategy building blocks of the new reforms of the NHS.

Ashley is now busy organising The National Patient Champion Network (NPCN) that will introduce Local Patient Champions (LPC) across the country that will sit with all new emerging organisations.

Also now working with South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (SWCCG) Ashley is helping build a sustainable public and patient engagement and involvement strategy to deliver both a patient focused approach from SWCCG and help SWCCG achieve full CCG authorisation. Plus identifying Local Patient Champions (LPC’s) who will work alongside SWCCG now and in the future to make certain the ethos of “no decision about me without me” and that of shared decision making is a reality from a patient’s perspective.

As well as becoming a Patient Leader for both the Renal and Dementia “ call to action” on and behalf of The National Health Service Institute for Innovation and improvement. Being the link and conduit between professions and patients.