Welcome
The Disabled NHS Directors Network (DNDN) is the national network representing NHS leaders with disabilities. Formed in autumn 2020, it is open to all disabled Board or equivalent members (non-executive or executive) of NHS organisations and other providers of NHS services (including Community Interest Companies). This includes non-executive or executive members of Integrated Care Boards, NHS members of Place Partnership Boards (or equivalent) and NHS or DHSC Arm’s Length Bodies.
The Network was created to strengthen the collective impact and voice of disabled leaders and, through them, of disabled staff within the NHS and to provide a peer support network for disabled NHS directors.
Our current membership includes colleagues with a wide range of disabilities and impairments, including autism, hearing impairments, long term conditions, mental ill health, mobility impairments and visual impairments. Our membership includes a good range of gender, ethnicity, and geographical coverage across England.
As the elected Co-Chairs of the DNDN, we welcome you to this website – and if you are a disabled Board member in the NHS, please come and join us!
You can always reach us on Twitter @NHS_DNDN.


Kate Smyth
Non-Executive Director, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Peter Reading
Chief Executive, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

News and events
Shadow Minister for Disabled People meets DNDN members
November 21, 2022Following the attendance by the Minister for Disabled People at a meeting of the DNDN membership in July, DNDN was … Read more
DNDN Co-chair challenges NHS Trusts to become visibly disabled friendly at NHS Providers Conference
November 16, 2022Speaking at the NHS Providers Annual Conference, DNDN co-chair Peter Reading challenged NHS leaders to become “visibly disabled friendly”. He … Read more
DNDN members address King’s Fund annual conference on disability
November 2, 2022DNDN members Fazilet Hadi and Tom Hayhoe addressed the King’s Fund annual conference, speaking about disability following the publication of … Read more