OHP Central Team
OHP Central Team
Karen Demetrious – Head of People and Practices
Following a long career in bookselling and the voluntary sector, I entered Primary Care in 2013 and have been a Practice Manager in both a large and small practice.
I joined the OHP Central Team in May 2019 as Partnership Services Manager supporting practices and helping to develop and improve services for patients and staff alike.
Using my interest in Human Resources I helped to launch the internal OHP HR support package in 2021 along with the Employee Assistance Programme.
At the end of 2021 I took up the post of Head of People and Practices for OHP, working alongside the Head of Compliance, Contracting and Clinical Services in supporting the Chief Operating Officer in managing the OHP Central Team in driving the Partnership forward whilst networking with external agencies and growing the OHP profile within Primary Care and the NHS.
Josie Jones – Head of Compliance, Contracting and Clinical Services
I joined Our Health Partnership in January 2022 after working in various Management roles within Primary Care over the last 8 years. I have worked within OHP practices since it was formed in 2015 and have now joined the central team because I enjoy providing support across multiple practices and believe in its aim to make life better for patients and practices.
I support the organisation with all aspects of CQC, governance, contracting, commissioning and clinical services development. I am currently studying for an MBA in Leadership and Management and enjoy reading and walking my dog in my spare time.
Michael Smith – Finance
Michael joined accountancy firm UHY in 2001 and has been a partner since 2007. He commenced his career with a small firm of Chartered Accountants specialising in financial and management accounts, audit, and taxation compliance before joining UHY. He qualified in 2004 and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Michael provides financial management, reporting and governance support to a number of NHS clients and has played a key role in the merger and de-merger of NHS organisations. He worked with the Department of Health on a pilot scheme to create the first wave of Community Foundation Trusts, lead the financial aspects of the establishment of one of the largest Commissioning Support organisations in the Country and has supported the development of an NHS Integrated Care Organisation. He has senior finance / Board level experience across commissioning, acute, mental health, community, and primary care providers.
As a keen advocate of health system collaboration, Michael has been Chair of regional (STP) finance sub-group and developed and implemented a joint approach to operational efficiency and financial savings schemes across multiple providers, demonstrating the improved outcomes available. He has also contributed to articles published nationally by the NHS Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
Michael has also assisted private and public sector clients with financial management, contract negotiation, business plans and business case preparation, and provided interim management support at a senior level within the NHS. He has been a school Governor since 2009 and is Chair of the Finance and Site Committee at a Multi-Academy Trust.
Michael lives in the Midlands with his two children and devotes any spare time to sport. He plays badminton competitively for a local club and enjoys golf and running.