Lived Experience Ambassador, Experience of Care Team, NHS England and NHS Improvement; England

Cristina joined the NHS (national health service in England UK) in 2018 as London’s first musculoskeletal Patient Director but has over 20 years of experience working within the local Government and has corporate experience as an Information Technology consultant. She champions both the promotion of co-production and the active involvement of lived experience in all aspects of the planning, design and delivery of care through co-produced clinical pathways. She has health and care experience at local, regional and national and international level.

Currently, she is the Lived Experience Ambassador for Experience of Care, NHS England and Improvement. She co-leads the NHS Beneficial Changes Network Patient / Carer work stream. Cristina always radiates enthusiasm for her patient and community work, her patient involvement is extensive, and she is involved with various patient/carer and public groups with a strong passion for justice and health inequalities to be faced head on. On a personal level she has experience of self-management of both physical and mental health as a result of her own chronic health conditions as well as a carer. Cristina is always willing to answer questions regarding her physical & mental health, as well as her disabilities.’ Twitter @acserrao76