Ex-management consultant to chair ICB
An integrated care board has appointed a former management consultant as its new chair
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said Emma Woollett would take up the new post next week.
She chaired Swansea University Health Board for five years before stepping down at the end of her term earlier this year.
Ms Woollett has also previously worked as vice chair of University Hospitals Bristol Foundation Trust, and her experience includes providing strategic support to acute trusts as an independent management consultant.
Earlier in her career she worked in marketing and strategy in business, and in recent years she has been chair of the Welsh NHS Confederation.
She will replace acting chair Roy Fisher, who took over from former national NHS director David Flory in March when he left to become joint chair of Liverpool University Hospitals and Liverpool Women’s FTs.
It comes with Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB forecasting a very large deficit. It is one of nine NHS England has told to hire management consultants to try to curb their spending although, unlike others including neighbouring Greater Manchester, it has not been subject to legal “undertakings” from NHSE.
Following her appointment, Ms Woollett said: “I believe the ICB has a clear vision and strong ambitions to improve quality, transform care in the community and address the challenges our NHS services face across acute, mental health and primary care.”
ICB CEO Kevin Lavery said Ms Woollett will “encourage a solution-focused approach in the ongoing development of our health and care system”.
He added: “I am sure Emma will be a great addition to the organisation, and I very much look forward to working with her.”