Movers and shakers news round-up

Industry moves this month include appointments at DeepMind Health, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Clinical Commissioners.

Marie Crofts has left 2gether NHS Foundation Trust to take up a new role at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Crofts, who has acted as 2gether Trust’s Director of Quality since April 2015, joins Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS FT as Director of Mental Health Services.

She said: “It is with a sad heart that I will leave 2gether, as I have felt privileged and honoured to work alongside such compassionate and caring colleagues across the whole of the organisation.

“However, a new challenge awaits and one which supports my work/life balance in a positive way, being much closer to my home.”

Crofts will work her final board meeting on 26 September.

Dr Graham Evans has been appointed as the chief digital officer for the North East and North Cumbria.

Evans, who is also the chief information officer of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, will work with NHS organisations across the region who are partnering under the Integrated Care System (ICS).

Dr Evans began his new role on 30 August. His position will be worked on a part-time basis, and Dr Evans will continue his role at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

Commenting on his appointment on Twitter, Dr Evans said he was “absolutely honoured to have been appointed to the role of chief digital officer for the North East and North Cumbria, and to make a positive difference for the patients and communities we serve.”

Garry Fingland, former CIO of Bupa, has been made chairman of Zoomdoc.

Zoomdoc, a GP appointment on-demand mobile app, completed a successful fundraising campaign in late 2017.

Following this, Fingland will work with Dr Kenny Livingston, founder and CEO of Zoomdoc, as the company expands its services across London and nationwide.

Commenting on his appointment, Fingland said: “Zoomdoc is an innovative and forward-thinking company and I’m looking forward to helping Kenny and the team work towards our goal of providing the best level of healthcare to patients, delivered to them in the most appropriate manner.

“Virtual healthcare can undoubtedly support many of the more routine medical consultations, however there is often no substitute for the presence of a highly experienced and qualified General Practitioner.

“This is an exciting time to be joining and I look forward to being a part of the company’s success.”

Dr Barbara Rushton, chair of South Eastern Hampshire CCG, has been appointed as the new co-chair of NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC), acting as the representative for South East England.

Dr Rushton will join Dr Graham Jackson, clinical lead at Buckinghamshire ICS, as co-chair of NHSCC from 1 October

Her appointment comes after former co-chair, Amanda Doyle, reached the end of her term of office on 31 July

Dr Rushton said Doyle would be “a really hard act to follow”.

She added: “I feel honoured to be elected as co-chair and am very excited to be given this opportunity to support clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across the country to ensure their local communities receive the best healthcare and health outcomes possible.

“I passionately believe that clinicians need to play a key role in shaping the future NHS and NHS Clinical Commissioners brings them together to have a strong voice.”

Michael Macdonnell, national director of transforming health systems at NHS England, is leaving the organisation for DeepMind Health.

Macdonnell will be joining in the new year as head of partnerships and delivery. He will be responsible for “strengthening and deepening” DeepMind Health’s partnerships and working towards getting new AI advancements safely into clinical practice.

He joins the AI firm early in 2018.

Commenting on Macdonnell’s appointment, a DeepMind spokesperson said: “Michael brings a wealth of experience of working with the NHS and international health systems to bring about meaningful change that benefits patients and clinicians. We’re looking forward to him joining the team at DeepMind Health early next year.”

Dr Neil O’Brien has selected for a joint leadership and management team to oversee NHS North Durham CCG, NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG, NHS South Tees CCG, NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG and NHS Darlington CCG.

The five CCGs have been moving towards working more collaboratively since early 2018, with the aim of combining skills and resources to improve delivery, including the integration of health and social care.

Dr O’Brien is currently chief clinical officer (CCO) at North Durham CCG and has been a GP in Chester-le-Street for 16 years.

He will continue to work with hospital trusts and local authority partners to help with the planning and provisioning of primary and community care, and health and social care integration.

Dr O’Brien said: “I am delighted to have been chosen for this exciting role and I am really looking forward, with the staff across the CCGs, to continue the excellent work taking place with partners across our local health and care systems.

“I am passionate about the NHS in our area and I am fully committed to ensuring our collaborative working is the best it can be.

“The CCGs will very much remain as separate organisations but by working together, we will be able to share expertise and deliver the best outcome for patients locally and regionally across Durham and Tees Valley, which is of course the ultimate goal.”

Finally, Peter Knight has resigned from his role as chief information and digital officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust is now considering how best to replace Knight.