Movers and shakers news round-up

Healthcare industry appointments this month cover Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Channel 3 Consulting and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.

Louise Robson has been appointed as chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

Robson, who is currently the deputy chief executive of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and has 21 years experience in board-level positions at NHS organisations, will take up her new role in early 2019.

The trust’s previous permanent chief executive, Ann Barnes, retired last October. Helen Thomson has been serving as interim chief executive in the interim.

Robson said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Stockport NHS Foundation Trust as its new chief executive. From the conversations I’ve already had with colleagues in the trust and the wider Stockport health and social care system, I am really excited in the potential for the future.

“Whilst I recognise the challenges facing the NHS, I am very much looking forward to becoming part of the team in Stockport in the new year and am excited by the opportunities we have to ensure that we provide excellent care for patients and the communities we serve.”

Shauna McMahon has been appointed the partner in digital transformation consulting at the South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW CSU).

Starting November 1, McMahon, who previously acted as CIO of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, will work with Andy Kinnear and the team to lead digital transformation work on behalf of the CSU and its customers.

McMahon will be tasked with providing senior digital leadership in the delivery of large transformation projects and programmes, overseeing strategy, policy, culture change, benchmarking and governance.

McMahon told Digital Health News: “I am very excited to build on my Canadian and NHS experience to date and work with others in the NHS to support them on their digital journey.

“It is such an exciting time to be working in the NHS and I am really looking forward to supporting the exceptional work that is happening so the NHS achieves success with its digital transformation vision.”

Dr Andy Heeps has been confirmed as the new chief operating officer at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.

Dr Heeps joins North Mid in early December 2018 from Barking Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust in east London, where is currently divisional director for specialist medicine.

He is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and  a fellow of The Health Foundation’s ‘GenerationQ’ quality improvement programme.

Maria Kane, chief executive of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, said:“I’m delighted we’ve been able to appoint someone of Andy’s calibre to this key role at North Mid, and confident that he will continue to build on the improvements which we’ve worked hard to deliver so far.

“We’re particularly grateful that he is able to join us so quickly, as we continue to prepare for what is likely to be a demanding winter period, and pleased that he will be joining an already strong team which is absolutely committed to delivering outstanding care for our local communities.”

Dr Roger Henderson has been made UK medical director of digital healthcare platform, Liva Healthcare.

Dr Henderson will be responsible for overseeing clinical governance of Liva’s Type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment programme, which is used by the NHS and other insurance and pharma companies.

He will be responsible for overseeing patient safety and advising on any clinical issues.

Dr Henderson has over 30 years of medical experience, having worked as a GP since 1990. He has been a senior GP in general practice in Shropshire, where he was the lead diabetes GP in his surgery.

On his appointment, Henderson commented: “Throughout my career I have seen first-hand that Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, unless the individual is motivated to change.

“The reality is that the current financial cost of diabetes to the health service is unsustainable. The good news is that Type 2 diabetes has a unique capability of being reversible through lifestyle changes to diet and exercise.

“I look forward to working with the Liva team to deliver the lifestyle intervention programme and help expand Liva further both in the UK and abroad.”

Eleanor Rollason has been made consulting partner and practice director at Channel 3 Consulting.

Rollason has held a range of clinical, operational, advisory and leadership positions within the NHS and the private sector, and brings 26 years of experience to the role.

Rollason has been drafted in to strengthen Channel 3’s capacity to design and implement ways of tackling the challenges facing healthcare systems, in response to growing demand for the company’s digital transformation services.

Rollason spent 15 years working in the NHS, initially as a podiatrist, and eventually progressed to director of business Development at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire. She also led a range of transformation programmes, both within individual organisations and across health and care systems, as a consultant within Ernst & Young’s Health Advisory Practice.

Rhys Hefford, group chief executive of, Channel 3 Consulting, said of her appointment: “Eleanor brings a unique combination of skills, including a strong NHS background and exceptional industry insight. I am delighted to welcome her to our team.”

Mark Jones has been made CIO of the North Cumbria Health and Care Integrated Care System.

Jones has spent 18 years within the NHS, having worked across acute, community and primary care, mental health and learning disabilities and within clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

Jones previously acted as CIO of Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

He said on his appointment: “I’ve had a great first couple of weeks getting to know the teams, and I can’t wait to see what the first few months of my new role bring. When I saw the role advertised, I knew I had to apply, and I’m relishing the opportunity to help shape the digital future for the region.

“The right technology, shaped around the health and care of the people who use our services, will help provide truly integrated care, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”