02.05.19
Single joint chief appointed to lead five Norfolk CCGs
The five CCGs in Norfolk and Waveney have appointed a new joint chief officer to oversee improved integrated working in a troubled health economy.
Melanie Craig, the current chief officer of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCG and executive lead of the local Norfolk and Waveney STP, has been appointed as the new chief officer of the five CCGs with immediate effect.
As part of a bid to develop more integrated and sustainable ways of working, the CCGs said in a statement that they are currently creating a single staffing structure to be put in place later this year, and have also appointed John Inghan as a joint chief finance officer.
The local health economy has been struggling under heavy pressure, with three of its trusts currently in special measures for quality and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS FT (NSFT) recently holding the title as England’s worst performing mental health trust.
Both NSFT and one of its neighbours have appointed new leaders in the last month or so and are currently in a transitional phase as they try drive much-needed improvements.
The chairs of the five CCGs said in the joint statement: “The many colleagues and stakeholders who know Melanie will know she is committed to our patients, is passionate to improve services and has an excellent track record in leadership.”
North and South Norfolk CCGs have shared a single team of management and staff since 2016, with similar models in place in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and the five CCGs agreed to appoint a single chief officer in November.
The appointment follows a national call for candidates and interview panels, and was ratified by chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens.
Melanie Craig commented: “Norfolk & Waveney is developing more integrated and sustainable ways of working. We want this for patient-facing services and we want this within organisations. This will help us to make the best use of our resources when demand and work pressures are increasing.
“We shall continue to retain our local focus; our CCGs remain as separate entities however one staff team serving all five CCGs will provide greater coherence, consistency and efficiency whilst continuing to focus on important local priorities.”