In this online discussion we will focus on women in the healthcare sector. We will discuss whether the NHS is a good place to work if you're a woman. For example, is it flexible if you're a working mum, or a carer looking after older relatives? If not, how could it be made a more attractive place for women to work?
We will consider the obstacles stopping women taking senior leadership roles and ask how these can best be overcome. Writing for the network recently, Fiona Caldicott, chair of the Oxford University hospitals NHS trust, explored whether women can change the culture of the NHS. She said: "It has also long been known that coaching and mentorship makes a difference to women's achievements. Is there enough of this available?"
Join us on Friday 6 December between noon and 1.30pm when we'll be discussing these issues. You can can also tweet us your questions at @GdnHealthcare or email us healthcare@theguardian.com.
The panel includes
• Dame Fiona Caldicott, chair of the Oxford University hospitals NHS trust
• Susan Hamer, Organisational and Workforce development director, NIHR Clinical Research Network. Dr Hamer is one of HSJ's most inspirational women in healthcare 2013
• Dean Royles, chief executive, NHS Employers
• Karen Charman, director of engagement, NHS Employers
• Karen Castille, associate director, NHS Confederation
• Belinda Weir , senior consultant, leadership development, the King's Fund
• Sara Khan, GP and editor of Medical Woman, Medical Women's Federation
• Beryl De Souza, Medical Women's Federation honorary secretary, plastic surgeon Chelsea and Westminster hospital NHS foundation trust and honorary clinical lecturer at Imperial College
• Marisa Howes, national officer for policy, Managers in Partnership
• Penny Newman, GP, consultant in public health. Dr Newman has a portflio of senior roles in the NHS and is the author of the report Releasing Potential: Women Doctors in Clinical Leadership
• Sue Morris, acting chief executive, Sussex Partnership NHS foundation trust
• Sara Hedderwick, infectious diseases consultant and deputy chair of the British Medical Association's consultants committee
