Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that it has appointed a new Chair.
Joining the trust early in 2025, Dr Rima Makarem will take on the role, bringing 15 years of experience working at regional, national, and board level in the NHS. Dr Makarem has also spent the last four years as the Chair of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board. Alongside this, Dr Makarem is also the Chair of the Sue Ryder charity, as well as a lay council member for the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Makarem said:
“I am delighted to be appointed to the role of chair of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. It is uniquely positioned through its range of services to develop innovative integrated care pathways that will ensure patients see the right professionals in the right setting in a timely manner. I am excited to work with Peter and his team on making a real impact on the health of the population of Somerset. I look forward to meeting patients and staff in the New Year."
Originally training as a scientist, Dr Makarem has held senior roles within the worldwide pharmaceutical industry. Alongside this, she has also spent time in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), as well as the House of Commons Commission – which saw her working in close collaboration with the Speaker and the Leader of the House.
Trust Chief Executive Peter Lewis added:
“We are very excited to welcome Rima to Somerset. We have worked for many years to create a unique trust that provides primary care, community services, mental health and learning disability services and acute services. We want to continue capitalising on the opportunities that our range of services gives us, to play our part to the health of the people in Somerset, and deliver outstanding integrated care. We believe that Rima will play a very important role in supporting us to achieve this.”
Dr Makarem’s appointment comes after current Chair Colin Drummond announced his intention to retire. Drummond has spent the last ten years as Chair of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust – and its predecessors. This has seen him overseeing the mergers of three separate NHS foundation trusts, bringing them together into the one organisation.
Image credit: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
