10.10.16
New PHSO chief executive appointed to address governance concerns
A new chief executive has joined the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman as part of a shake-up at the regulator.
Amanda Campbell will take up the role, which will include a focus on “modernisation and continuous improvement”.
In July, Julie Mellor, the ombudsman, announced her resignation after she was found to have failed to investigate allegations that her deputy, Mick Martin, helped cover up sexual harassment allegations at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS FT.
An independent review of the incident by Sir Alex Allan said it was an ‘anomaly’ in the governance of the PHSO that one person held the office of CEO, chair and ombudsman, leading to problems such as the scandal involving Mellor. Alan Doran was appointed as interim CEO in May.
Mellor will hold the roles of ombudsman and chair until Parliament appoints her successor. She has called for the creation of a new joint ombudsman role to oversee both health and local government, which was also backed by a recent report into hospital discharges.
“We are delighted to welcome Amanda on board. Her track record of leadership in the public sector makes her ideal for the role,” said Mellor. “She also brings a wealth of operational and investigative experience that will be critical as we continue our journey to modernise the service.”
Campbell previously worked at the Home Office, where she was responsible for a number of investigative functions and held various senior positions including director general of immigration enforcement, chief operating officer of border force and director of leadership and learning.
She was also a non-executive director for Central & North West London NHS FT, where she was a member of the performance and quality committee and chair of the informatics committee.
Campbell said: “I’m thrilled to have joined the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman which provides such an important service to people who feel that they have been let down by public services.
“In my short time here, I have been impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of staff to deliver the best possible service.”
(Image c. PHSO)
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