New co-chairs for group that will shape the future of health services in Mid-Wales
The independent co-chairs of a new group which will shape the future of health services in Mid Wales have been appointed, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
Dr Ruth Hall and Jack Evershed have both agreed to chair the new Mid Wales Health Collaborative, which is being established following an independent report into the future provision of health services in the region.
The study by the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care (WIHSC) at the University of South Wales spent nine months listening to the views of patients, the public and NHS staff across Mid Wales. The study, led by Professor Marcus Longley, made a number of recommendations about the future provision of health services in Mid Wales.
Following its publication, the Welsh NHS organisations providing services in Mid Wales - Powys Teaching Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust – agreed to set up the Mid Wales Health Collaborative to bring about changes set out in the report.
The key responsibilities for the independent co-chairs will be to:
Mr Evershed was previously chair of the Wales Board of Community Health Councils and is a leading member of the Aber Group which has campaigned to retain services at Bronglais Hospital, in Aberystwyth, for many years.
Professor Drakeford said: “The Mid Wales study outlined the challenges facing health service in Mid Wales but also set out clearly the changes that can be made to secure the future provision of high-quality healthcare for people living across the region.
“I am delighted to announce that Dr Ruth Hall and Jack Evershed have both agreed to become co-chairs of the Mid Wales Health Collaborative. Their roles will be crucially important in both challenging and supporting the health boards to bring about change that provides sustainable health services.
“We will now ensure that health boards work together to make sure they bring about the changes needed to make sure the people of Mid Wales continue to have safe, sustainable health services for generations to come.
“In March, we will be holding a Mid Wales rural healthcare conference to maintain the level of interest and engagement that we saw during the study process.”
Am ragor o wybodaeth ffoniwch swyddfa’r wasg yn Llywodraeth Cymru ar 029 2089 8012 | For more information please call the Welsh Government press office on 029 2089 8012.
The Mid Wales rural healthcare conference will be held at the Cefn Lea Conference Centre in Powys on March 12, 2015.
The Mid Wales Health Study report was published on October 23, 2014 and is available at: http://wihsc.southwales.ac.uk/news/en/2014/oct/23/mid-wales-health-study-report-published/
Dr Ruth Hall CB has a professional background in medicine, practised as a public health consultant in North Wales from 1990 with specialist interest in environmental health, before appointment as Chief Medical Officer for Wales (1997-2005). Dr Hall was a non-executive director of the Environment Agency from 2005-12 and was an expert member of Ofwat's Future Regulation Advisory Panel from 2009-12. She serves on the Public Health Advisory Committee of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and holds a visiting Chair at the University of the West of England. Dr Hall is also a member of Glandwr Cymru, the Canal and River Trust's All Wales Partnership and is a Governor of the new Public Policy Institute for Wales hosted by Cardiff University.
Mr Jack Evershed was previously Chair of the Wales Board of Community Health Councils, is a leading member of the Aber Group which has campaigned to retain services at Bronglais Hospital for many years. He is an acute observer of health policy and has an interest in governance issues.
Dr Ruth Hall and Jack Evershed have both agreed to chair the new Mid Wales Health Collaborative, which is being established following an independent report into the future provision of health services in the region.
The study by the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care (WIHSC) at the University of South Wales spent nine months listening to the views of patients, the public and NHS staff across Mid Wales. The study, led by Professor Marcus Longley, made a number of recommendations about the future provision of health services in Mid Wales.
Following its publication, the Welsh NHS organisations providing services in Mid Wales - Powys Teaching Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust – agreed to set up the Mid Wales Health Collaborative to bring about changes set out in the report.
The key responsibilities for the independent co-chairs will be to:
- Chair the Mid Wales Health Collaborative Board meetings;
- Lead complex issues determined by the Mid Wales Healthcare Collaborative Board;
- Promote new thinking in tackling historical challenges;
- Energise and shape engagement with the public, staff and clinicians;
- Facilitate a collaborative approach to resolving issues.
Mr Evershed was previously chair of the Wales Board of Community Health Councils and is a leading member of the Aber Group which has campaigned to retain services at Bronglais Hospital, in Aberystwyth, for many years.
Professor Drakeford said: “The Mid Wales study outlined the challenges facing health service in Mid Wales but also set out clearly the changes that can be made to secure the future provision of high-quality healthcare for people living across the region.
“I am delighted to announce that Dr Ruth Hall and Jack Evershed have both agreed to become co-chairs of the Mid Wales Health Collaborative. Their roles will be crucially important in both challenging and supporting the health boards to bring about change that provides sustainable health services.
“We will now ensure that health boards work together to make sure they bring about the changes needed to make sure the people of Mid Wales continue to have safe, sustainable health services for generations to come.
“In March, we will be holding a Mid Wales rural healthcare conference to maintain the level of interest and engagement that we saw during the study process.”
Am ragor o wybodaeth ffoniwch swyddfa’r wasg yn Llywodraeth Cymru ar 029 2089 8012 | For more information please call the Welsh Government press office on 029 2089 8012.
The Mid Wales rural healthcare conference will be held at the Cefn Lea Conference Centre in Powys on March 12, 2015.
The Mid Wales Health Study report was published on October 23, 2014 and is available at: http://wihsc.southwales.ac.uk/news/en/2014/oct/23/mid-wales-health-study-report-published/
Dr Ruth Hall CB has a professional background in medicine, practised as a public health consultant in North Wales from 1990 with specialist interest in environmental health, before appointment as Chief Medical Officer for Wales (1997-2005). Dr Hall was a non-executive director of the Environment Agency from 2005-12 and was an expert member of Ofwat's Future Regulation Advisory Panel from 2009-12. She serves on the Public Health Advisory Committee of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and holds a visiting Chair at the University of the West of England. Dr Hall is also a member of Glandwr Cymru, the Canal and River Trust's All Wales Partnership and is a Governor of the new Public Policy Institute for Wales hosted by Cardiff University.
Mr Jack Evershed was previously Chair of the Wales Board of Community Health Councils, is a leading member of the Aber Group which has campaigned to retain services at Bronglais Hospital for many years. He is an acute observer of health policy and has an interest in governance issues.
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