This week the NHS South of England, which is made up of three previous SHAs – NHS South West, NHS South East Coast and NHS South Central, officially came into force. The newfangled ‘cluster’ organization carried out their primary Board meeting in Newbury, and verified that Dr Geoff Harris as Chair and Sir Ian Carruthers OBE as chief Executive. They also confirmed all other Board members.

Previously in England there were ten strategic health authorities (SHAs), which have now been narrowed down to four clusters – NHS London, NHS North of England, NHS Midlands and NHS South of England, in order to make sure the organizations are well-placed in order to continue improving NHS performance and deliver the NHS reforms during this transition period.

As of 31 March, 2013, the SHAs will be taken over by a new NHS Commissioning Board, collaborating with local clinical commissioning groups, ran by GPs. Executive and non-executive directors were confirmed in the initial Board meeting of NHS South of England, and corporate business and priorities were agreed.

Dr Geoff Harris, explained:

“I am delighted to confirm the appointments of the new directors to the Board of NHS South of England. There are many challenges ahead but I am confident we will be able to meet these given the exceptional calibre of the people who have been appointed to lead the organization for the next 18 months.”

Sir Ian Carruthers OBE, stated:

“This is an exciting phase for the NHS. The number one priority is to keep our focus on improving the quality of care and NHS services for the benefit of the 13.4 million people who live in the south of England.

We also need to make sure services are delivered in a timely and efficient way, so that the taxpayer receives value for money.

A further important role will be to ensure we facilitate the organizational changes required for modern NHS, so that the reformed service will be in the best possible position to continue meeting patients’ needs and improving care for the future.”

Those confirmed as the executive team were:

  • Sir Ian Carruthers OBE as Chief Executive
  • Bob Alexander as Director of Finance
  • Andrea Young as Chief Operating Officer
  • Liz Redfern CBE as Director of Nursing
  • Dominic Hardy as Director of Commissioner Developmental
  • Dr Mike Durkin as Medical Director

Those confirmed as the non-executive directors were:

  • Dr Geoff Harris as Chair
  • Kate Lampard as Vice-Chair
  • Charles Howeson as Vice-Chair
  • Joe McLoone
  • Terry Butler CBE
  • Stephen Tinton
  • Alison Ryan
  • Professor Steven West
  • Neil Churchill

The next Board meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 1 December, 2011 at the South West House in Taunton.

Written by Grace Rattue