78 Faces of NHS South East: The People Behind the Plan

On 5 July, the NHS celebrated its 78th birthday, recognising the dedication, skill and compassion of colleagues who make a difference to patients every day.

To mark the anniversary and one year since the launch of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, NHS England South East launched its “78 Faces of NHS South East: The People Behind the Plan” campaign. The initiative highlights 78 individuals from across the region whose work is helping to deliver the Plan’s three key shifts: moving care from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.

We are proud that Oliver Charman, Service Manager for our Community Diagnostic Centre, has been recognised as one of the 78 Faces of NHS South East.

Ollie leads the development of innovative diagnostic pathways designed to improve access to care and enhance patient experience. Drawing on his background as a former resident doctor, he combines clinical understanding with operational expertise to help deliver services that are more convenient, effective and patient-centred.

A recent example of this work is the Community Diagnostic Centre’s digital insomnia pathway, launched in February 2026. The pathway enables patients to complete questionnaires, maintain digital sleep diaries and undertake diagnostic testing at home, helping clinicians assess and support patients without requiring hospital visits. Automated communication keeps patients informed from the point of referral, providing reassurance and clear information about next steps.

The pathway is already demonstrating positive outcomes, with faster access to specialist advice and more personalised care. It reflects the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan by using digital technology to improve access, reduce unnecessary hospital attendance and ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

Speaking about his work, Oliver said:

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of a team that is actively reshaping healthcare delivery while keeping patients firmly at the centre of everything we do. Our ambition is to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time, with the help of digital tools to improve this experience.”

Read Ollie’s full story on the NHS England South East website: NHS England — South East » Oliver Charman