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ICB chair and long-serving NHS chief to retire

Published on: 22 Jul 2024
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An integrated care board chair and previously long-serving NHS chief executive is retiring after five decades in the health service.

Sir Neil McKay, currently chair of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB, is stepping down later this summer, the organisation announced on Monday afternoon.

Before joining the ICB in July 2022, he chaired the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin sustainable transformation partnership. Previously he has been CEO of hospitals in Leeds and Sheffield, led two strategic health authorities, and was national NHS chief operating officer in the Department of Health.

Announcing his departure, Sir Neil said: ”I have given considerable thought to this decision over recent months and now, as we see in a new government and the organisation embarks on the implementation of a new operating model, after 54 years of working for the NHS I feel the time is right to take my retirement and hand over the reins.

“The two-year tenure as chair has been a highlight of my career and I have had the honour of working alongside so many talented and passionate people who are committed to serving the residents of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.”

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is the smallest of the 42 integrated care systems and is grappling with several big problems. It has been in NHS England’s most challenged tier for performance and finance since it was established in 2022, and has a very large financial deficit relative to its size, although there has been some improvement on long-standing care quality concerns at its hospitals

Recently, several senior directors have departed the ICB, and HSJ revealed three grievances were submitted about its leadership. The organisation argued the reasons for the senior departures were “varied, including retirement, promotion/career progression, secondment/acting up opportunities and personal choice”.appointing strong replacements.

Sir Neil’s departure date has not yet been decided, and arrangements for replacing him are expected to be announced soon.

ICB chief executive Simon Whitehouse said: “On behalf of our ICS, I want to thank Neil for his unwavering commitment and significant contribution to the organisation and wider system.

“His passion for delivering better health and care through integration and strong partnership working has been integral to the ongoing development of our health and care system and will leave a lasting legacy.

“Neil will be greatly missed, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.”