Richard, who has been working as chief operating officer at NHS North of England since the clustering of strategic health authorities in October 2011, has been executive director at North East Strategic Health Authority since 2007. During this time he has overseen operations and performance of the north east NHS – one of the best performing regions in the country – and more recently led the development of clinical commissioning groups in the region.
In his new role, Richard will report directly to Ian Dalton – currently chief executive of NHS North of England and former chief executive of North East Strategic Health Authority – who has been appointed as the chief operating officer of the new national NHS Commissioning Board.
Ian Dalton said: “Richard is a highly experienced executive director with a strong track record of achievements in the north east and I am delighted to have such a skilled leader overseeing north operations for the NHS Commissioning Board.
“Richard will work with clinical commissioning groups and partners across the north to ensure we have a strong and innovative commissioning system that improves outcomes for patients. His appointment now enables us to finalise the design of the regional and local presence of the NHS Commissioning Board across the north.”
Richard will begin his new role with immediate effect whilst continuing to oversee operations across NHS North of England. Commenting on his new role, Richard said:
“This is an extremely important time for the NHS and I am delighted to take up this position to help build and embed the new system for clinical commissioning which will make a real difference for patients right across the north.
“During this vital time of change and transition, my key focus will also be on making sure the NHS in the north continues to deliver safe, high quality services with strong clinical outcomes and excellent experiences for all of our patients.”
As regional director, Richard will be part of the senior leadership team of the operations directorate at the NHS Commissioning Board and joins three other regional directors also announced by the NHS Commissioning Board:
• London – Dr Anne Rainsberry
• Midlands and East – Dr Paul Watson
• South - Andrea Young
Richard, originally from Sunderland, began his career in the NHS with the former Sunderland Health Authority in 1984. He quickly rose through the ranks to become an executive director of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he spent ten years in business development. He moved on to become chief operations officer at NHS South of Tyne and Wear before joining North East Strategic Health Authority in 2007.
ENDS
Media contact:
Liz Davies
0191 210 6482 / 07787 278511
liz.davies@northeast.nhs.uk
Notes to editors:
About NHS North of England
On 3 October 2011, the three strategic health authorities across the north of England – NHS North East, NHS North West and NHS Yorkshire and the Humber – were placed under a single management framework and began to work together as NHS North of England – one of four strategic health authority ‘clusters’ across England.
About the NHS Commissioning Board
The NHS Commissioning Board was established as a special health authority on 31 October 2011 and will play a key role in the Government’s vision to modernise the health service and secure the best possible outcomes for patients. It will take on statutory responsibilities from 1 April 2013 once the new clinical commissioning system begins to operate and following the abolishment of strategic health authorities and primary care trusts.
