Acevo chief executive Sir Stephen Bubb has been seconded onto a government-appointed forum that will scrutinise the proposed changes to the NHS.

He is among seven sector chiefs that will contribute to the Forum, which has been set up by the government as part of a “listening exercise” over its controversial health service reforms.

Prime Minister David Cameron asked Sir Stephen if he would join the NHS Future Forum full-time for two months, and chair a panel on choice and competition.

The Forum will have 40 members and will be chaired by former Royal College of GPs president Steve Field.  It will report directly to the Prime Minister.

Bubb will be released from Acevo for two months to undertake this work, and his deputy Peter Kyle will act up in the role.

Acevo chair Lesley-Anne Alexander said it was a “real achievement” that the government has recognised the crucial role the sector plays in providing health and social care services.  

“Health and social care is hugely important to us all as individuals but particularly to the many hundreds of Acevo members involved in this work,” she said. “I know Stephen will be keen to hear members’ views and perceptions to inform this important task.”

A number of other sector figures will also be involved in the Forum: Paul Farmer, chief executive, Mind; Lord Victor Adebowale, chief executive, Turning Point; Thomas Hughes-Hallett, chief executive, Marie Curie Cancer Care; Mark Goldring, chief executive, Mencap; Jeremy Taylor, chief executive, National Voices and Ratna Dutt, chief executive, the Race Equality Foundation.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's proposals for opening up the healthcare market to private and voluntary sector providers and handing NHS commissioning to consortia of GPs have been widely condemned by unions and patient groups.

Public sector union Unison commissioned rapper MC NxtGen to write a rap about the proposals.  The 'Andrew Lansley rap' has been viewed more than 315,000 times on Youtube.